DDC Anantnag reviews progress of Agriculture & Allied Sector

ANANTNAG : The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Dr Piyush Singla reviewed the functioning and progress of various schemes being implemented by Agriculture and Family Welfare department Anantnag.

The DDC stated that Agriculture is a multi sectoral activity and requires collaboration at all levels. He added that concerned departments have to work in a coordinated manner and as a team unit to achieve the desired results.

Threadbare discussion was held about achievements and bottlenecks hampering to achieve the desired results.

The DDC urged the officers that for the revival of the agriculture sector, adoption of new initiatives and modern interventions are necessary.

He stressed switching from traditional plantation to high-density plantation besides organizing capacity building programmes for farmers and adopting best practices aimed at modernizing and making agri activities more sustainable and environment friendly.

Reviewing the scheme wise progress in agriculture, the chair was informed that expenditure of Rs 1.68 crores has been booked in this financial year. While Rs 1.02 crores has been disbursed under District CAPEX, substantial expenditure has also been incurred under PMKSY, Sub Mission on Agri Mechanization and Soil Health Card–NMSA.

The chair was informed that 16 tractors have been distributed among beneficiaries under Farm Mechanization scheme. Under the Mushroom cultivation program, 38 units are presently functional in the district and are being provided market linkage support. The district has also brought 200 ha under Lal Mirchi Promotion programme.

The Chief Agricultural Officer said that the department has laid impetus on capacity building programmes. 43 Farmer’s training programmes have been conducted in the district. 52 demonstrations have been held to spread awareness among the farmers about various modern interventions that can be employed. He said that 7891 soil samples have been collected during the year. 6 Farmer Producing Organizations have also been set up.

Deputy Director Fisheries informed the chair that they have successfully established two trout units in the district. 25 trout units have been set up in the private sector with subsidy and are being provided marketing support.

Dr Singla emphasized that the fisheries sector has emerged as a good source of generating employment. He said that Trout is the earmarked product for Anantnag under One District one Product and the department should push for development of Micro Processing units to add value to the produce.

The Chief Horticulture Officer while presenting the progress of the horticulture sector informed the chair that the department has released Rs 2.4 crore during the current financial year with primary focus on mechanization of horticultural activities in the district. 611 modernization equipment including tractors, tillers, sprayers etc have been distributed among the beneficiaries. In capital development, 251 pack house and vermicompost units have been set up in the district. Construction of 15 borewells has been taken up under MIDH and District CAPEX.

Chief Animal Husbandry Officer said that more than 75000 artificial inseminations have been recorded which have resulted in an addition of 21,342 animals to the livestock. More than 3 lac vaccinations have been carried out in the present year.

Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, the department has sanctioned more than 8000 cases and funds have been disbursed in 75% of these cases. Similarly under Integrated Dairy Development Scheme 28 beneficiaries have set up dairy units / milk vans generating substantial employment. Under the Fodder development scheme, 40 people have received subsidies for purchasing modern equipment.

District Sheep Husbandry Officer informed the chair that 44 sheep breeding and rearing units have been set up and 49 mini sheep/ goat units have been established. The Sericulture department said that 31 incubation units are functional in the district and an income of Rs 1.6 crores has been generated through rearing.

The DDC emphasized that agriculture and allied activities are a major avenue for employment generation. CAO was directed to ensure registration of organic clusters in the district and to take steps for increasing production of Mushkabudji.

Chief Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry departments were directed to focus on employment generation by spreading awareness to attract investors to dairy and sheep rearing units. He said the department should also explore avenues for processing initiatives for value addition to the produce.

The meeting was attended by CPO and field functionaries of agriculture and allied departments through virtual mode.

Officials from Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries department attended the meeting and apprised the chair regarding progress in their respective areas.