Rajouri: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, chaired a meeting to review the implementation of the Integrated Farming Cluster under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The initiative aims to enhance rural livelihoods by promoting sustainable agricultural and allied activities.
During the meeting, the DC emphasized the need for establishing a Livelihood Services Centre (LSC) to facilitate and support farmers with necessary resources, skill training, and market linkages. He also highlighted the importance of identifying potential crops and terrain suitability for better productivity.
As part of the cluster development, four villages of Budhal block—Darsakri, Hubbi, Kewal, and Larkuti—have been selected to implement the program. The DC directed stakeholders to focus on the production of maize, walnuts, Rajma, and sheep wool, considering their high potential in the region.
To streamline the value chain, the DC stressed the need for setting up Rajma packaging units, walnut processing unit, shearing machines, and felt machines to facilitate easy selling, packaging, and branding of locally produced goods. Additionally, he instructed officials to establish a Seed Storage Bank/Germplasm Bank to preserve high-quality seeds for future use.
Highlighting the importance of convergence, the DC directed that departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep Husbandry, and NRLM work together to maximize the impact of the initiative.
The meeting was attended by Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO), Chief Animal Husbandry Officer (CAHO), District Sheep Husbandry Officer (DSHO), Senior Scientist, and District Programme Manager NRLM, who shared insights on implementing the project effectively.
