KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Minister for Agriculture production G N Lone Hanjura Friday said that the crop insurance scheme “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana” (PMFBY) would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir from next year.
Highlighting other steps being taken in the state to boost agriculture sector, he said the agriculture produce and the Mandis would be made a regular feature in all agriculture dominant areas, an official spokesperson said Friday evening.
He said government would also explore the possibility to create cold storage facilities at fruit and vegetable Mandis.
He also informed that the government would further promote the community bore well scheme to improve irrigation in the potential areas.
He said under the scheme the government provides subsidy as well as expertise to help group of farmers to establish a common bore well.
Hanjura was addressing a gathering after inaugurating work of the Pargwal Canal Command project at block Pargwal, Chhamb in Jammu.
The project has been taken up under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Minister was accompanied by Vice chairman Kisan Advisory Board, Daljit Singh Chib, MLA Chhamb Dr Krishan Lal Bhagat, Director CAD and Director Agriculture. About 200 farmers including Sarpanchs, Panchs and women from Pargwal and adjoining villages attended the programme.
The project being developed at a cost of Rs 15.35 crore would cover a Culturable command area of 2860 hectares spread over 6 Panchayats and 26 villages of block Khour and Tehsil Akhnoor.
The project aimed at to increase water use efficiency by improving conveyance system from out let to field is scheduled to be completed within a three year time frame.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister said the development of canal distribution system under this project will provide essential irrigation support to the farmers of the area and boost their socio economic upliftment and up-gradation.
He said that government is committed to give high priority to water security through effective implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) will ensure ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’.
He said that focused attention is being paid to popularize micro irrigation system in the state to improve productivity- ‘Per drop, more crop”.
He said that 70% of the state economy is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture and the present government has laid special thrust on the development of this sector.
“With the combined efforts of the government, departments and farmers, we can make Pargwal and its surrounding areas a prime model of agricultural success” he added.
The minister informed that the government has a provision under which small groups of farmers can apply for subsidy for the construction of Community bore wells and hand pumps in their areas and urged the farming community to make use of this scheme.
VC Kisan Board said that this project will not only help increase productivity but also generate employment in this border village.
He asked the people to actively participate and keep a sharp eye on the progress of work and assist the government to ensure that the work quality is maintained.
He said that “only with our combined efforts can bring about a positive change and move towards development”.
MLA Chhamb in his address said that this project is a new milestone in the progress of the area. He said that with this project, components like micro Irrigation, construction of field channel, land levelling, field drains and various training programmes will be executed.
He further added that this project will also help to check the problem of water logging in the area.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson said that Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today chaired a joint meeting of officers of Agriculture, Command Area Development Department, Horticulture, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development Department for synchronization of different schemes under convergence plan.
Director Command Area Development Department Manisha Sharma, Director Rural Development Department Pardeep Kumar, Director Agriculture Sudesh Kaul, Supertending Engineer REW Rajesh Gupta besides other senior officers of Agriculture, Command Area Development Department, Horticulture, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development Department were present on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that there is a need for a vision document for identification of components and pattern of sharing joint meetings at district levels for convergence plan of the projects under MGNREGA.
He directed for desilting and renovation of irrigation channels for free flow of irrigation water.
He asked for up-gradation of Agriculture department, Horticulture and Sericulture department nurseries.
He directed for construction of water harvesting tanks, vermi-compost units, construction of go-downs under various centrally sponsored schemes like RKVY and NMSA.
Stressing on time bound implementation of schemes, the Minister directed for timely submission of project-wise Utilization Certificates (UCs) to pave way for speedy and effective implementation of various Centrally-sponsored Schemes (CSS).
He directed the executing agencies to ensure successful completion of all CSSs within the stipulated timelines so that people, who are the real stakeholders, get tangibly benefitted. He desired that under the convergence plan of MGNREGA, parks and school-grounds should also be developed for providing recreational facilities to children and students.
Hanjura directed the officers to provide all facilities to the farmers for increasing production in the State. He directed the concerned officers to work shoulder to shoulder with the farmers and make sure that the current situation and weather changes do not affect the crop production.
The Minister also directed the concerned to make fertilizers and other necessary chemicals available to the farmers to avoid blast and other diseases which affect the crop production.
Hanjura directed the concerned for timely distribution of quality seeds to the farmers to improve productivity. He also stressed on tapping the vegetable farming, apiculture and mushroom cultivation potential in the state.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to conduct regular field visits and take adequate steps to generate mass awareness about the programmes being implemented for welfare of the farmers.
