MLA Rajouri chairs Rural Credit Workshop under JKCIP

Rajouri : A Rural Credit Workshop under Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) was organized by Agriculture Production Department, Rajouri and SKUAST Jammu here at Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
MLA Rajouri, Iftikhar Ahmed was the chief guest. The workshop was attended by more than 100 farmers from 4 different panchayats of Block Rajouri. It was organized with the objective to sensitize the farmers, especially youth and vulnerable societies about various schemes, especially credit facilities available under JKCIP.
The District Heads of Agriculture and allied Departments, besides representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions also attended this workshop.
Dr. Arvind Kumar Ishar, Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Rajouri and Dr.P.P. Sajotra, District Sheep Husbandry Officer (Nodal Officer JKCIP) welcomed the Chief Guest and gave an overview of the event.
Chief Scientist & Head RARS Dr. Vikas Sharma explained the scope of the JKCIP project and its various components. He stressed upon the participating farmers to come forward and approach the concerned departments to avail the benefits of the schemes offered under JKCIP framework.
In his address, MLA Iftikhar Ahmed impressed upon the farmers to take advantage of these schemes. “Majority of our population depends on agriculture and allied activities for which our area has vast scope and needs to be tapped fully” he noted.
He asked the officers of stakeholder departments to work with dedication to accelerate the socio-economic upliftment of farmers of the area as they are struggling due to low income.
The MLA urged the banking officials to make the credit linkage schemes more farmers’ friendly. “There is a need to avoid unnecessary hiccups in the process of farming loans, especially KCC which is the dire need of poor farmers,” he added.
Resource persons from departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, Sericulture and Banks also deliberated on various schemes meant for the welfare of the farming community. Workshop ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. Suraj Parkash, Chief Scientist of KK, Rajouri.