Jammu, Aug 27: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday called for a focused, farmer-centric strategy to harness the vast horticultural potential of Jammu division, enhance farm incomes and transform horticulture into a more productive and remunerative economic activity.
The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the farmers organised by the Department of Horticulture Jammu at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, here.
The interaction provided a direct platform to the farmers to share their concerns, difficulties and suggestions regarding the horticulture sector. The farmers highlighted issues related to incentives, availability of quality planting material, market support and measures required to improve production, productivity and profitability.
Responding to the concerns, Javid Dar assured the farmers that their genuine issues would be examined and addressed through coordinated interventions. He stressed that the department must maintain continuous engagement with the farming community so that policies and schemes are aligned with the ground realities and emerging needs.
On the occasion, Javid Dar released the Handbook of the Department of Horticulture Jammu, a practical reference document for farmers containing information on modern horticultural practices, departmental schemes, technologies and other farmer-oriented interventions.
In another farmer-oriented initiative, the Minister flagged off buses carrying farmers for an educational and exposure visit to Government Fruit Plant Nurseries in Jammu and Samba. The visit is aimed at providing the farmers with practical exposure to modern nursery management, quality planting material, scientific fruit production and advanced horticultural technologies.
The Minister directed the officers to intensify enforcement against the sale and distribution of fake and spurious pesticides and ensure stringent quality control in the market. He called for regular inspections and effective monitoring mechanisms to safeguard farmers from substandard agricultural inputs and protect horticultural production.
Javid Dar also laid special emphasis on regulating the agencies involved in supply of planting material. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that only quality and certified planting material reaches the farmers and that suppliers strictly adhere to prescribed standards. He called for strengthening the government nurseries and expanding the availability of quality fruit plants at subsidised rates.
The Minister said that development of a robust nursery infrastructure and timely supply of healthy planting material would be crucial for improving productivity and accelerating the expansion of modern horticulture in Jammu division.
Calling for a scientific assessment of horticultural potential, the Minister directed the department to identify areas best suited for fresh and dry fruit cultivation. He stressed the need for location-specific and crop-specific plans based on agro-climatic conditions, available resources and market demand, so that farmers can be encouraged to adopt crops offering better and sustainable returns.
