Kissan Mela cum exhibition held

Under "Support to State Extension programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA) Scheme" one day Kissan Mela cum exhibition programme was organized at Village Kangwala, Zone Rehiyan of block Samba today with the active participation of Agriculture and other allied departments, besides keen participation of more than 1000 farmers.

The Kissan Mela was inaugurated by Yash Pal Kundal, MLA Samba in the presence of guest of honour Swarn Lata, Vice Chairman J&K State Board for the Welfare and Development of SC and attended by Mubarak Singh District Development Commissioner, Samba, Nirmal Kumari Sethi ADDC Samba, Sant Ram CPO-Samba, besides participation of officers of the Agriculture and allied departments.

Various stalls highlighting the new technologies and achievements in the field of Apiculture, Mushroom Development, Seed Testing, Seed Analysis, Agriculture Engineering, Agriculture Machinery, Irrigation/Spray Pumps, Horticulture Sector, Sericulture Sector, Animal and Sheep Husbandry were showcased and highlighted in the well laid out stalls. Live crop and fruit samples brought by the farmers were the center of attraction of the Mela. On site Soil Testing facility was provided by Mobile Soil Testing Van, which analyzed Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash on the spot from soil samples brought by the farmers.

Mr. Kundal, appreciated the work of different agencies carrying out the noble work for the development of farming community and stressed for organizing more of farmer friendly programmes so as to apprise the farmers of new technologies and innovations. He also discussed the problems faced by the farmers particularly regarding the non availability of fertilizer during the cropping season and the initiatives proposed. Mr. Singh, DDC, congratulated the Agriculture Department for organizing Kissan Mela, laid stress on intensive extension and asked the farmers to avail the benefits of ongoing various schemes and to adopt diversification approach so as to increase farm income and mitigate the misery.

Chief Agriculture Officer Samba A.K Malhotra while welcoming the guests, apprised the gathering about concentrated efforts of department of Agriculture.

During the event, Subsidy and prize distribution was held by Mr. Kundal and Swarn Lata distributed cheques worth ` 2.65 lakh among the beneficiaries of Samba district under various Centrally sponsored schemes and 175 prizes for the live samples displayed by farmers were distributed and 4 Kissan Credit Cards were issued on the spot by the JK Grameen Bank, branch Pungdor during one day Kissan Mela.

Others who were present include K.S.Sambyal District Agriculture Officer, Karanjit Singh Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Samba.