Bandipora, May 6: Director Agriculture Kashmir, Dr Farooq Ahmed Lone today laid stress on the implementation of various programmes aimed to boost agriculture production and uplift socio-economic conditions of the farming community in the Valley.
 Lone was addressing a Kissan Mela here which was inaugurated by him on Saturday.
 He urged the farmers to take advantage of all the schemes launched by the Department and cooperate with the field extension agency in implementing all the programmes for making the state self-sufficient in various food crops, pulses & oil seeds, an official statement said.
 He said the department of agriculture has been organizing awareness camps throughout the Valley with the aim to ensure that the latest research and technology in agriculture sector reaches the doorsteps of the farmers.
 On this occasion Joint Director Agriculture Extension M.S. Katoo also advised the farmers to adopt the high-tech agri inputs to boost agriculture production.
 He stressed the need for promoting Mushroom Cultivation, Bee Keeping, and Vegetable & Flower Cultivation.
 He impressed upon farmers to avail benefits under various centrally sponsored schemes available in Agriculture Department in the form of RKVY, Macro Management Technology Mission, ISOPAM and ATMA etc.
 Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora M A Wani stressed on the farmers to achieve maximum returns from the available land resources with a paradigm shift from traditional cropping pattern.
 On the occasion experts educated farmers about proper use of inputs and measures taken for optimum cropping. A large number of farmers gave an overwhelming response and interacted with the experts on various aspects related to scientific modern technology.
 Among others present in the mela were Chief Planning Officer, Officers & officials of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry & fisheries department.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 May 2012 00:00:00 IST