Jammu: Director Agriculture Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen undertook a two-day extensive tour of District Ramban, focusing on the implementation and progress of various ongoing agricultural initiatives and schemes.
During the visit, the Director convened a detailed review meeting at the Chief Agriculture Office, Ramban, where he assessed the status of several central and UT-sponsored schemes including HADP, JKCIP, CSS, and NABARD. He also reviewed the progress of various flagship programmes under SHCS, PMFBY, KCC, PM Kisan and RKVY.
Chief Agriculture Officer Vinay Kumar Jandyal briefed the Director Agriculture about the status of works going on on the field.
The meeting was attended by Sub-Divisional Officer Ayaz Rishi, Sub-Divisional Officer Gool Naveen Kumar, ASCO Jamshed Ahmad, SMS-DL, other senior officers and field staff of District Ramban.
The Director inspected key agricultural infrastructure in the district, including the Mushroom Unit and Honey Processing Plant at DCTC and visited the Integrated Farming System (IFS) Model established by progressive farmer Zubair Ahmad Sohail at Chenab Valley Farm, Village Chamalwas, Banihal. Commending the initiative, he urged farmers to embrace Integrated Farming for sustainable income generation.
Further, the Director inspected a Low-Cost Polyhouse of beneficiary Abdul Rashid Khan in Panchayat Karwah, Zone Banihal, highlighting the importance of protected cultivation. At a well-attended farmers’ gathering in Banihal, he elaborated on various components of HADP, encouraging farmers to utilize the Kisan SATHI Dashboard to apply for government schemes related to plantation, protected cultivation, water harvesting, drip irrigation, custom hiring centers, farm machinery, processing units, and nursery establishment.
On the second day, the Director visited the SM Farm Tethar, Banihal, to assess on-ground farm activities. While interacting with farmers and beekeepers, he issued instructions to field functionaries to provide immediate technical support to address the challenges faced by farmers. Emphasizing the potential of apiculture in the region, especially following the GI tagging of Sulai honey, Director Agriculture called for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Apiculture in Ramban.
Later, the Director inspected the Kisan Khidmat Ghar (KKG), Banihal, and interacted with Krishi Udyamis, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to handholding entrepreneurs in agriculture.
