Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir on Monday said that the Agriculture Department has taken up ropeway project for connecting the highly productive but inaccessible areas of Kishtwar to facilitate better and timely marketing of the vegetables especially the Kharif season peas, other agriculture crops and fruits.
Interacting with the farmers and officers of the department, Mir said that the project envisages connectivity of the highly productive but inaccessible areas of Kishtwar including Padder, Ligrie, Chitto, Ungai, Kabban so that the produces, especially the Kharif season peas, other agriculture crops and fruits reach the market in shortest possible time in fresh condition and without any bruises, blemishes or spoilage.
He disclosed that an amount of Rs.155 lakh is being utilised for construction of ropeway carriage system between Sohal to Kabban under RKVY Scheme and added that the project will soon be implemented.
The Agriculture Minister, who is on a tour to the district, visited saffron growing areas including the Saffron Development Farm of Department of Agriculture at Berwar, Poochal and other adjoining areas.
The minister highlighted various initiatives taken by the department to improve the farming practices and the living standard of the farmers of this resourceful but under developed part of the State.
He said that whereas the town and surrounding villages of Kishtwar were famous for quality saffron production, the higher hills had a great potential for organic production of vegetables and other crops particularly during the season when there is a scarcity of such items in the hot plains. He said the farmers of the area can get premium returns of their produce provided efficient connectivity is ensured.
Referring to the National Mission of Saffron, Mir said that an amount of Rs. 322.90 lakh has been earmarked for economic revival of the saffron sector in the district during current financial year.
“An area of 20 hectares is envisaged for rejuvenation through provision of quality planting material”, he added. He asserted the Saffron Development Farm at Berwar is proposed to be covered to the extent of 8 hectares.
Besides, all possible steps shall be taken to meet the critical requirement of water to the saffron crop at its critical growth stages to facilitate productivity enhancement to more than 5 Kgs per hectare as against the existing less than 3 Kgs per hectare.
The minister directed the agriculture officers to prevent any encroachment/ construction on the saffron land and bring every such instance to the notice of concerned district authorities and follow up the same vigorously to ensure that the saffron land is not converted to non-agricultural purposes.
He impressed upon the Agriculture Officers and extension functionaries of the Department in Kishtwar District to remain agile and work with dedication to take the improved technology to farmers’ door steps for their betterment.
Earlier, while talking to the farmers at Thathri, the minister directed the agriculture officers to hold awareness camps at Panchayat level and also appoint dealers for sale of seeds and fertilisers in each Panchayat.
The Director of Agriculture Jammu Ajay Khajuria who was accompanying the minister gave a detailed account of developmental activities implemented by the department under various schemes.
The Chief Agriculture Officer Kishtwar, Saffron Development Officer and other officers and functionaries of the department were also present during the visit.
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