JAMMU, OCTOBER 30: Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Jammu Anil Gupta, today conducted an extensive tour of R.S. Pura Subdivision to review ongoing developmental activities, assess the implementation of the departmental schemes and take stock of farmer-oriented initiatives undertaken in the area.
The Director was accompanied by Chief Agriculture Officer Manohar Lal Sharma; Potato Development Officer Ravi Sharma; District Agriculture Officer Vinod Kumar Khajuria; Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Arun Jaral; Subject Matter Specialists and field functionaries of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, R.S. Pura.
During the visit, the Director attended the live streaming of the release of the 24th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Bhildi, Banaskantha district, Gujarat, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), R.S. Pura.
The programme was graced by MLA R.S. Pura, Dr. Narinder Singh Raina; MLA Suchetgarh, Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat; Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Prof. (Dr.) B.N. Tripathi and Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Jammu Dr. Punit Choudhary besides other departmental officers, scientists and farmers. The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Jammu and KVK Jammu.
On the occasion, the Director also addressed farmers at an awareness programme organised under the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. Emphasising the importance of conserving agricultural land, he highlighted the need to promote sustainable agricultural practices, maintain soil health and ensure judicious utilisation of natural resources. He called upon farmers to adopt resource-conserving technologies and remain actively involved in efforts aimed at protecting agricultural land and strengthening the agricultural ecosystem.
Anil Gupta also addressed participants during a one-day training programme on the promotion of oilseeds under the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) at R.S. Pura. He stressed the importance of expanding oilseed cultivation, adopting improved production technologies and motivating farmers to diversify their cropping patterns to enhance productivity and contribute towards reducing the country’s dependence on imported edible oils.
As part of the field inspection, the Director visited the Paddy Procurement Mandi (Registration-cum-Facilitation Centre), R.S. Pura/Bishnah, located at Village Khour Deoion, Panchayat Khour, Zone Khirpind. He reviewed the ongoing procurement operations and assessed the arrangements made for farmers. He emphasised the need to ensure smooth, transparent and hassle-free procurement, timely lifting of paddy and adequate facilities at the procurement centre. He further directed the concerned officers to maintain close coordination with procurement agencies to ensure that farmers receive the benefits of the procurement process without any inconvenience.
The Director also visited and inspected the Potato Seed Production Farm, Kotli Mian Fateh, where he reviewed the ongoing farm activities and assessed the progress of potato seed production. He took stock of crop management practices, farm operations and the availability of quality planting material. He stressed the importance of adopting scientific cultivation practices, maintaining quality standards and ensuring timely execution of farm operations to strengthen the availability of quality potato seed and promote self-reliance in seed production.
During the extensive tour, Anil Gupta reiterated the Department’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of various agricultural schemes, strengthening field-level extension services and extending all possible support to farmers. He directed the field functionaries to maintain close contact with the farming community, address their concerns promptly and work with dedication towards achieving the developmental targets of the Department.
