Jammu, May 31: In a major boost to sustainable farming and rural development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Saturday inaugurated the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ (VKSA) at Village Langrial, R.S. Pura. The campaign, part of a nationwide 15-day initiative (29 May–12 June), aims to promote climate-resilient agricultural practices and empower the farming community.
The Minister was joined by a high-profile delegation, including Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and PMO, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament, Javed Ahmad Dar, Agriculture Minister of J&K, local MLAs Dr Narinder Singh Raina and Gharu Ram Bhagat, Dr Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner New Delhi Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Prof B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen, Director Agriculture Jammu.
The event commenced with a symbolic plantation drive, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly farming. Farmers, public representatives, and departmental officials actively took part in the programme. During an interaction with members of the Basmati Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), farmers raised concerns over the exclusion of Basmati rice from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime. Chouhan acknowledged the significance of this aromatic variety to the region and assured them that the Centre would explore the establishment of a dedicated Basmati procurement mandi in R.S. Pura, to boost market access and ensure fair pricing.
The Minister also met with farmers from the border villages, who shared the hardships of cultivating land under the persistent threat of cross-border shelling. Applauding their grit and determination, he remarked, “Farmers here are incredibly brave. Despite living under constant threat, they continue to till the land. We will ensure your concerns are addressed at the earliest.” Chouhan inspected several showcases of modern agricultural practices, including the Hi-Tech Mobile Soil Testing Laboratory, Plant Health Clinic, and various stalls set up by FPOs, multi-state cooperatives, and departments allied to agriculture. He praised the farmer-centric, integrated development model adopted in the Jammu region. Highlighting the pressing issue of labour shortages—particularly in border areas—he stressed the need for enhanced farm mechanisation and the use of labour-saving technologies. The Minister underlined the importance of Custom Hiring Centres and Farm Machinery Banks in making modern equipment accessible to small and marginal farmers. In a special interaction, the Minister visited the unit of Vinod Kumar, a progressive mushroom cultivator who has successfully doubled his income through innovation and entrepreneurship. Chouhan hailed him as a role model for India’s aspiring agri-entrepreneurs. He also toured a fruit nursery in Village Chakroi, where he reviewed laboratory facilities and the propagation of high-yield fruit plant varieties. Here, he met Mahesh Choudhary, a border farmer who has earned acclaim for transforming the local landscape through strawberry cultivation. The Minister commended his pioneering efforts.
