ANANTNAG, JUNE 09: With the aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhance awareness among the farmers about scientific and environment friendly farming techniques, an awareness programme under the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan was organised today by Agriculture Department Anantnag at Khanabal here.
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, presided over the program. The program was attended by District Development Commissioner, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Dr. Rehana Habib, CAO, CHO, CAHO, DD Fisheries, DSHO, Head KVK Dooru, field officials from Agriculture and allied departments besides progressive farmers and representatives of agri related cooperative societies of the district.
Addressing the gathering, the ACS said that Khet Bachao Abhiyaan is a significant initiative aimed at encouraging sustainable agriculture through scientific and judicious use of resources including fertilizers, land and water while pushing for organic and eco-friendly farming practices.
He stressed the need for adopting productive agricultural technologies and scientific farming methods keeping in view the agro climatic conditions and soil health and environmental balance. He called for protecting the top soil layer (humous) and progressive shifting of agriculture towards natural and organic methods stating the same will have huge scope in the long run.
Dr. Ashish Chandra asked the farmers to avail the benefits of Soil Health Card, KCC, PM Fasal Bhima Yojana and credit linkage schemes including HADP and JKCIP so that they maximize the output of their land and other resources.”Soil Health Cards help in assessment of macro and micro nutrients and allow the farmer to use the fertilisers accordingly,” he remarked.
Advising the farmers to create FPOs under multiple categories, the ACS said the department is committed towards handholding these organisations at all stages. He termed the sustainable agriculture and farmers’ welfare top priority of GoI and UT government, assuring the farmers that necessary support will be provided to them in a smooth and holistic manner.
Dr. Ashish Chandra also felicitated a number of local progressive farmers and representatives of cooperative societies for their exemplary work in respective sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, the District Development Commissioner underscored the importance of close coordination between agriculture and allied departments and the administration to make the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan a successful campaign at the grassroots level. He assured full support of the district administration in popularizing the initiative and ensuring its effective implementation across the district.
Earlier, Director Agriculture Kashmir addressed the participants and highlighted the aims and objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan.
Later, Director Extension, SKUAST-K briefed about various aspects of Khet Bachao Abhiyaan, including its benefits and challenges. She stressed the need for active participation of farmers, scientists and field functionaries to achieve its objectives and strengthen the agriculture sector.
The progressive farmers and other stakeholders pledged to extend full cooperation to the department for successful conduct of the Abhiyaan.
