POONCH, AUGUST 20: Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma today chaired a comprehensive meeting to review the progress and implementation of Agriculture and Allied sector government schemes in the district. The meeting was convened with the objective of strengthening inter-departmental coordination, ensuring timely execution of government initiatives and maximizing benefits for the farming community.
During the meeting, officers from the concerned departments presented updates on the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and outlined future plans being implemented in their respective sectors. Focus areas included enhancing productivity, strengthening value-addition chains, expanding allied activities such as fisheries, floriculture and sericulture and improving farmer outreach.
The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the set targets and achievements made so far and identified existing gaps. He directed the concerned officers to organise block and village-level camps to intensify farmer awareness and ensure maximum coverage of eligible beneficiaries under government schemes.
The Deputy Commissioner further instructed the departments to explore the introduction of saffron cultivation and increase fruit plantation drives in the district. He emphasized the strengthening of Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) as effective centres for both collection and distribution services. The Animal Husbandry Department was asked to establish a hatchery unit in the district to support poultry farmers.
Underscoring the importance of convergence, the Deputy Commissioner instructed all departments to achieve the target set for the current financial year, ensure effective field-level monitoring and engage with farmers actively to achieve holistic and sustainable agricultural growth across Poonch district.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Planning Officer, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, DIO NIC, Deputy Director Sericulture, Assistant Director Fisheries, Lead District Manager, Assistant Floriculture Officer, Area Grading & Marketing Officer and the District Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Poonch.
