Kathua: A one-day training on Holistic Agriculture Development (HADP) program was successfully held Wednesday at the Jandhi Panchyat of Hiranagar, Kathua district.
SDM, Rakesh Kumar, presided over the event, organized under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Dr. Rakesh Minhas, with the aim to achieve 100% saturation of the HADP scheme in five model Panchayats of Hiranagar tehsil.
During the program, SDM Rakesh Kumar revealed that HADP, initiated by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, seeks to elevate agriculture and allied sectors from subsistence to self-sustenance with an enhanced bioeconomy.
A total of 29 projects are currently underway in Jammu and Kashmir under HADP, striving to make each village a hub of rural prosperity and fortify agriculture and allied sectors for inclusive growth.
Chief Agriculture Officer Kathua, Sanjeev Rai Gupta, applauded the Department of Agriculture’s unwavering support to the farming community, highlighting the importance of such training programs to boost farm income. Gupta emphasized the motivation for young entrepreneurs in agriculture, lauding the significant participation of women farmers. He particularly praised the All Women Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Lakhri for their commendable work in mushroom cultivation, involving over 100 women farmers.
DDC member Abhinandan Sharma extended congratulations to the Department of Agriculture and allied sectors for delivering crucial technical information to farmers. BDC Chairman Ram Lal Kali encouraged farmers to avail themselves of tailor-made schemes suitable for the diverse agro-climatic conditions of the plain, kandi, and hilly areas of the district. DAO Extension, Murari Lal Dhingra, detailed various schemes, emphasizing the potential of mushroom cultivation and apiculture development to enhance income.
Officers from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kathua, and allied sectors actively participated in the event, providing training on the 29 approved projects sanctioned by the Government of J&K. With a substantial outlay of Rs. 5013 crores over the next five years, these projects aim to revolutionize J&K’s agriculture economy, fostering growth, doubling sector outputs, boosting exports, and ensuring sustainability and commercial viability across various sectors.
Dr. Vishal Mahajan, Head KVK Kathua, addressed farmers, highlighting the program’s main purpose—to apprise farmers of successful implementation and complete saturation in the Londi Panchyat under holistic agriculture sector development. Vinod Kumar, AEO Hiranagar, detailed different projects, covering registration processes, funding patterns, sanctioning processes, and their implementation.
Dr. Suresh Kumar, VAS, Hiranagar, provided insights into schemes implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry, including IDDS, IPDS, Dairy Development in J&K, and the roadmap for poultry development. Officers from the fisheries department discussed technological interventions for fish seed and carp production in UT of J&K.
The Department of Science and Technology briefed farmers on the PM Kusum scheme, offering an 80% subsidy for solar pump sets. Farmers expressed keen interest in the program, with on-spot registrations conducted by the agriculture department. The event witnessed active participation from over 30 farmers, along with ex-sarpanch and former PRIs
