KATHUA, MARCH 22:- Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today inaugurated one-day district level Exhibition- cum- Kissan Mela at New Fruit Mandi Kathua. The exhibition with theme “General awareness of farmers for profitable and sustainable farming” was organized under ATMA programme.
Highlighting the importance of such exhibitions Dr Singh said to achieve the goal of doubling farmer’s income by 2022 organizing awareness programs is must, as was suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Dy CM said besides awareness adopting “integrated farming,” is also must for farmers to raise their income. He said ‘integrated farming’ is most suitable model for arid and rain fed areas with high potential of bringing sustainable economic benefits to them.
Dr Nirmal Singh said that for increase in income, besides other things farmers also require higher returns for their produce. He said to curb the black marketing practice and commission agents the State Government has started procurement centers along with agriculture credit facility.
Dr. Nirmal Singh said various farmer centric schemes including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Paradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) were launched for holistic development of the farmers.
Advising farmers to get Soil Health Card, the DyCM said Soil Health Management in the state is promoted through soil and fertilizer testing laboratories. The people were informed that 90% soil of Kathua has been tested by the agriculture department and sampling is still going on and analysis is continuing.
Dr Nirmal Singh directed DC Kathua, Ramesh Kumar to identify a village in an arid area to make it a model village for drip-irrigation.
Vice Chairman J&K Advisory Board for development of Kissans, Daljeet Singh Chib said that tackling climate change and its potential impact also requires focused attention to safeguard farmers. He said given the drought and errant rainfall affecting farmers, the government’s step to create farm ponds that will work as a drought-proofing measure in gram panchayats is welcome, but everything depends on how well the schemes are executed on the ground.
MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia welcomed the State Government`s decision of initiating Shahpur Kandi Project which will help the farmers of kandi area from Lakhanpur to Vijaypur, benefitting a major portion of Jammu region. The MLA also informed the DyCM that 24 crore project for modernizing the Kathua canal has been approved by NABARD and the work on the project will soon begin.
DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua Pawan Parihar, CAO Kathua Nand Kishore Sharma, members of civil society and farmers in large numbers were present on the occasion.
