SRINAGAR, AUGUST 13: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Budgam, in collaboration with the department of Agriculture and allied sectors, today organized the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan Rural Credit Workshop under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture & Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) at Aarigam, block Khansahib Budgam.
MLA Khansahib, Saif-ud-Din Bhat presided over the event as the chief guest. In his address, he highlighted the benefits of the mega programme in improving farmers’ access to institutional credit, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening the agricultural economy of the district.
He also urged the farming community to take full advantage of JKCIP-IFAD and other schemes available with Agriculture and allied departments for socio-economic upliftment and self-reliance.
He commended SKUAST-K and its partner departments for “working shoulder to shoulder with farmers at the grassroots to make agriculture a sustainable commercial enterprise.”
Dr. Bilal Ahmad Lone, Prof. & Head, KVK-Budgam, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap between farmers and financial institutions, and enabling farmers to benefit from government schemes aimed at enhancing productivity and income.
He also highlighted that the workshop reflects SKUAST-K and KVK Budgam’s commitment to doorstep delivery of technology, improved agricultural practices, and farmer-oriented interventions to drive economic growth.
The event brought together officials from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, sheep husbandry, and fisheries departments, along with representatives from RBI. More than 100 participants, including members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), progressive farmers, and Agri-entrepreneurs, took part in the programme.
The technical session featured a farmer–scientist interface, where KVK experts, including Dr. Sabia Akhter, Dr. Shabeer Ahmad Ganie, Dr. Iram Farooq, Dr. Kavita Rani and Dr. Irfan Ahmad, provided on-the-spot solutions to farmers queries.
