KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
J&K Government Wednesday said that the agriculture land in the state is shrinking despite agriculture being the mainstay of the people.
“It is correct that agriculture land is shrinking in the state. It is a big concern,” Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Nabi Lone today informed the Lower House in the on-going Budget Session.
The minister was speaking during the Discussion and Voting of the demands for Grants for Agriculture Production, Horticulture and Cooperative departments.
Lone said that 63 percent of people in the state are directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture production in the state.
The minister said that despite that a significant population associated with the sector, the state is still not self-reliant.
“Our state is dependent on the Union Government. We are not self-reliant,” he said.
Citing the example of conversion of Saffron land in Pampore, the minister said that people have raised huge buildings and converted saffron land into residential colonies.
“It is unfortunate. But despite conversion, Saffron production increased because of the Saffron Mission,” Lone said.
Lone said that shopping complexes, roads and other structures are being constructed on the agriculture land.
The minister said that development of agriculture, its allied sectors and the technology required are priority for the government. (KNS)
