DC Doda urges Agri officers to bring up Sustainable Concept Note on each scheme meant for Farmers’ welfare

Advocates increase in quality & quantity of popular crops of the district

 DODA, DECEMBER 12: Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh has urged the Agriculture and allied departments to bring up a Sustainable Concept Note on each of the farmers welfare schemes  to develop Agriculture as a major sustainable livelihood activity , especially in the rural areas of  the district.

He advocated for the increase in the quality, quantity, and area of cultivation for the popular crops of the district, which can in turn improve the income of the farmers and generate employment opportunities in the district. The development of sale points/ Mandis, cold storage, food processing units, and agro industries were also discussed as a critical boost in the development of the agriculture sector. The DC impressed upon the officers to introduce best and novel techniques in the farming suitable to the district to improve the yield.

These directives came during a meeting held in the mini Meeting Hall of the DC office complex today. The meeting discussed the achievements under the Agriculture and allied Sectors, besides the implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) by the Agriculture and allied departments. The DC reviewed the progress under PM Kusum Yojana, Vegetables Development Programme, Apiculture and Mushroom Development Programme, Organic Farming, Post Harvesting and Marketing Infrastructure Development, Farm Mechanisation, Promotion of Flowers and Medicinal Plants, ATMA, SMAM, PMDP/MIDH, NFSM, PKVY, Rain fed Area Development and UT Capex, besides, HADP.

Key departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Floriculture, and Apiculture were focal points of discussion. The district heads provided detailed insight into agriculture development schemes, highlighting their advantages. The Deputy Commissioner asked each implementing department to achieve the desired targets by effective implementation of the schemes and handholding of the farmers. Further, the discussion centred on increasing the production of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged Rajma and creating a laboratory for its certification.

Further interactions involved assessing progress made in the promotion of lavender and medicinal plant farming. The sheep husbandry department’s performance in mutton and poultry production was also discussed.

The meeting also discussed in detail the Agriculture Credit Linked Schemes. The DC instructed the LDM and district heads to increase the sponsorship of cases to boost the agro sector and agro entrepreneurship in the district.

The meeting was attended by the CAO, CHO, CAHO, DSHO, AD Fisheries, AD Planning DC Office, AD Floriculture, LDM and other concerned officers.