Mir calls for comprehensive dev of agriculture sector

Describing agriculture as the mainstay of State’s economy, Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir has called for speeding up schemes aimed at its comprehensive development. “Large chunk of our population is directly and indirectly dependent on this vital sector,” he said and laid stress on utilization of modern farm practice.

Chairing a high-level meeting, here today, to have an appraisal of various schemes currently under implementation in the agriculture sector, the Minister said that apart from schemes aimed at increasing paddy and maize production, emphasis should also be on cultivation of oilseeds, pulses and other cash crops. “Kandi areas have a potential to supplement pulse production and this needed to be exploited”, he said, adding more demonstration plants should be laid of pulses and oilseeds so that agriculturists are acquainted with latest agricultural techniques to boost production.

The Minister said ways and means should be explored to ensure treatment of seeds at the initial stage so that paddy blast and other such diseases are curbed. In this regard, he called for close coordination between agriculture scientists and field functionaries of the department to ensure better results. He also stressed on speeding up work on various schemes launched under Command Area Development Project (CADP).

Mr. Mir exhorted for giving impetus to various Centrally-sponsored schemes. He said planning and financial aspects of the schemes should be kept in mind so that proper implementation is achieved. He said that farmers should be encouraged to take up ventures in sericulture and mushroom cultivation.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Horticulture, Mr. Javed Ahmad Dar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Mrs. Sonali Kumar and other senior officers of the department attended the meeting.