Srinagar, Oct 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that the prosperous future of Jammu and Kashmir is in the comprehensive development of agriculture and allied sectors.
 He said the need of hour is to utilize the vast potential of agro-based activities available in the State to give considerable fillip to the State’s economy and open venues of livelihood for youth.
 Chairing the first meeting of Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans of which he is also the Chairman, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah highlighted the role of Kissan Advisory Board in the process of diversification of agriculture practices and welfare of the farmers’ community.
  “While our endeavours should be to achieve self sufficiency in food grain production, we should also stress on economic upliftment of the farmers comprising a large chunk of our population”, he said maintaining that the suggestions and opinions provided by the Board members during the meeting should be factored in the overall development policy for agriculture and allied sectors.
 The Chief Minister said that the constitution of Advisory Board for Development of Kissans was a well thought decision to focus attention on the comprehensive and holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors, and the people associated with these activities. “By the constitution of Kissan Board we have provided a platform for subject matter specialists, agriculture scientists, administrative heads and the farmers to develop constant rapport, discuss issues, workout solutions to the problems and come up with sound suggestions and proposals for the government to act upon towards the upliftment of Kissan fraternity”, he said adding that the development of agriculture and welfare of farmers is one of the top priorities of his Government.
 Speaking in the meeting the Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Rachhpal Singh narrated major achievements registered by the Board during the last year. He said that 15 awareness camps at district and provincial levels were held by the Board to acquaint farmers with the packages and welfare schemes, government has initiated for the benefit of Kissans.
 Rachhpal Singh expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the constitution of Kissan Board describing it an innovative initiative of first of its kind in South-East Asia.
 He identified 18 areas in which Kissan Board can contribute for the development and balanced growth of agriculture and its allied activities.
 Secretary of the Board, G. N. Mir in a PowerPoint presentation dealt with agenda points and presented the brief of the functioning of the Board.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST