ACS reviews plan for procurement, distribution of seeds for Kharif crops 2023

JAMMU, March 15: Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting to review plan for procurement and distribution of seeds for Kharif crops in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir at Civil Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, APD; Director General Planning, APD; Director Agriculture Jammu; Director Agriculture Kashmir; Joint Director Jammu, APD and other concerned officials while Kashmir based officers participated online.

ACS exhorted upon the concerned officers to ensure that procurement of seeds for kharif season is completed expeditiously so that the quality and certified seeds are provided to the farmers in time.

Dulloo asked the officers to prepare detailed report regarding zone wise requirement of every crop seed so that the seeds are distributed among the farmers accordingly. He directed them to submit a report every alternative day regarding the status of seed availability and distribution percentage for all crops like Paddy, Maize, Vegetables, Millet and potatoes to concerned departmental wings. He also asked them to ensure that the seeds are supplied to the farmers in time.

Earlier, a PowerPoint Presentation was presented in the meeting which highlighted the status of seeds procurement and distribution among the farmers.

Later, ACS convened another meeting to review progress made with respect to Seed Chain Portal in the UT of J&K.

It was informed in the meeting that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has envisioned and created a centralized online system called “SATHI” (Seed Authentication, Traceability and Holistic Inventory) for capturing various parameters of seed certification process in a digital mode. The initiative is aimed at to make the existing Seed Certification System more effective and transparent.

It was informed that around 150 persons have applied in Jammu division and 221 persons have applied in Kashmir division for registration of certification of their seeds in the portal.

Dulloo directed the officers to complete all the formalities regarding coverage targeted farmers under the scheme by April 15.