Rs25 lakhs incentive cheques and Hybrid seed distributed

Farmers awareness camps held in Mattan & Dooru

ANANTNAG March 8,2012:

Director Agriculture Kashmir Dr. Farooq A. Lone while speaking in a seminar on “Integrated Management of Nutrients for increasing Production and Productivity” at Mattan Town hall said that the main aim of organizing such seminars is to ensure that the latest research information and technology in Agriculture sector reaches to the door step of farmers.

Director said that in order to ensure that hybrid seed technology reaches every village and town of the valley the department has distributed hybrid seed kits of 10 vegetables among all the Panchayat Raj Halqas and Municipal wards where identified progressive farmers will raise seedlings for sale and distribution among the farmers. In addition the department has made available hybrid vegetable seeds on 90 percent subsidy and open pollinated seeds on actual cost of production at all the sale centers of the department for the benefit of farming community. Potato, paddy and maize seeds have been arranged in sufficient quantity of 6,000 quintals, 10,000 quintals and 1500 quintals respectively and it is being ensured that these quality seed are available to the farmers at reasonable rates well in time.

He advised the farmers to take the benefits of various schemes launched by the department and cooperate with field functionaries in implementing all the programmes for making the state self sufficient in various crops. The farmers must project their requirements to the field functionaries of the department so that plan is formulated as per the needs at ground level.

Chief Agriculture Officer Mohammed Iqbal Mir and District Agriculture Extension Officer Mr. Shardar and also spoke on the occasion and provided farmers information regarding these schemes.

SDAO Mattan Peer Mohammed Iqbal said that 116 irrigation pump sets, four powers sprayers, one tractor, two power tillers, 20 foot sprayers and 10 tool kits, besides five Vermi compost units were established in sub-division Mattan for which Rs 15.13 Lakh subsidy was provided to farmers.

Large gathering of farmers took part in seminar in which they interacted with Agriculture experts related to balanced dose of nutrients. Experts stressed farmers for the use of organic manures as its impact on nutrient content is positive. They appreciated to the efforts of the department to reach out to the farmers.

On conclusion of seminar Director distributed hybrid vegetable seed kits, free poly films for raising vegetable seedlings for each of 77 Panchayat Halqas of the sub-division.

 In another function held at Dooru Anantnag Mr. Lone distributed cheques worth Rs. 10.15 lakhs. Cheques among 147 farmers as incentive for the purchase of latest machinery.

Director while addressing farmers asked them to work hard and utilize the benefits provided to them by the agriculture department. He interacted with farmers and addressed their grievances on spot.