On the occasion of Kisan Divas, director agriculture Jammu, Hari Krishan Razdan, accompanied by deputy director agriculture, central, Jammu, JagmohanBhat, interacted with farmers at Bhalra village of Pranoo sub-division in Doda on Sunday.
The director, while speaking on the occasion, stressed for doubling farm income through diversification of farming, by adopting all allied components of integrated farming system, including cereal/vegetable cultivation, apiculture, mushroom growing, cattle rearing and vermin-composting.
He asked the farmers to apply balanced application of nutrients, inputs and farm machinery to reduce the cost of cultivation through saving labour and time. He congratulated the farmers on the occasion of Kisan Divas and said that the contribution and the work done by farmers is vital for the rural economy.
Progressive farmers, Mathura Dass and Gian Chand Bhagat, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier speaking in a review meeting, the director impressed upon officers and staff members to make all out efforts for dissemination of technological interventions and improved agricultural practices, in order to increase the production of agricultural crops.
He directed the field functionaries to reach out to the farmer and make them fully aware of various farmers’ welfare schemes, including soil health card scheme (SHCS), Pradhan MantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY), kisan credit card scheme (KCCS), national mission on agriculture extension and technology (NMAET-ATMA) and Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana.
Razdan also directed the field staff and officers to guide the farmers to make self help groups (SHGs) and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) to avail the benefits of kisan credit cards (KCCs) and crop insurance scheme.
Razdan also stressed on the staff to work for the promotion of local specialties, like Rajmash, Zeera, Saffron, Garlic and Vegetables.
Chief agriculture officer, Doda, SuneelKoul, CAO Kishtwar and sub-divisional agriculture officers, Pranoo, Susheel Rattan Sharma, presented details of various on-going farmer welfare programmes and schemes in the area.