Govt determined to transform agriculture: LG

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said on Sunday that the government is determined to transform agriculture in Jammu-Kashmir.
Addressing Kisan Unnati Sammelan at Shalimar Campus of SKUAST Kashmir, he said, “Our commitment to transforming agriculture in Jammu-Kashmir is unwavering.”
At Kisan Unnati Sammelan, the Lt Governor launched 500 Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) across J&K and Kisan Khidmat Ghar mobile application, designed to provide comprehensive support to the farmers.
Dedicating the Kisan Khidmat Ghars to the farmers of Jammu-Kashmir, the Lt Governor said the inauguration of 500 KKGs across J&K under the Phase-I is a significant milestone in J&K’s journey under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme.
“Kisan Khidmat Ghars will serve as one-stop service hubs, offering comprehensive support, from input supply to marketing and technological assistance to our farmers,” he said.
The Lt Governor informed that 1,500 KKGs will be established in the second phase and works will be completed by end of this year.
“At the heart of this initiative is our commitment to empower 13 lakh farmer families, including nearly three lakh vulnerable and marginal farmers,” he said.
“Kisan Khidmat Ghars will bridge the gap in agriculture extension worker and farmer ratio and bring essential services directly to our farmers’ doorsteps and take extension networks to the highest level up to the farthest corner of the Union Territory,” he observed.
The Lt Governor said the Kisan Khidmat Ghars equipped with modern IT systems will ensure efficient delivery of critical services such as input booking, soil health monitoring, plant diagnostics, market intelligence, and capacity building.
“This is just the beginning. As we move forward, we will continue to expand and enhance our services to ensure that every farmer in J&K benefits from these initiatives,” he said and noted “together, we will create a prosperous and sustainable agricultural future for Jammu-Kashmir.”
He said the centres will also give farmers access to custom hiring services, artificial insemination, horticulture and institutional data, ensuring that farmers have access to necessary and timely services.
“Our vision is to build a smart, technology-driven, and inclusive agricultural extension system that will transform the lives of farmers of Jammu-Kashmir,” the Lt Governor said.
He said the KKGs and the mobile application will greatly enhance accessibility to information and services, leading to better decision-making and higher productivity.
UNI