Deptt working robustly to increase area under oilseed crops: Dir Agri

Srinagar, Dec 12: The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal Monday visited Kulgam and convened a meeting to review physical and financial progress on the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in the district.
He said the department is working robustly to increase the area under oilseed crops because the flowering of this crop in the months of March, April in a symbiotic manner on one hand provide flora to the honey bees and help the farmers associated with the apiculture enterprises and on the other hand these honey bees contribute to the pollination and result the increase of production and productivity of crop.
During the meeting, different centrally sponsored schemes being implemented by the department including CAPEX, RKVY, MIDH, ATMA, NFSM, PM KISAN, Soil Health Card scheme, KISAN Credit Card Scheme etc. were discussed in detail.
Addressing the meeting, the Director said that the main objective of this meeting is to chalk out a modus operandi for the upcoming Kharief season viz-a-viz assured irrigation facilities, availability of seed (seedlings) and other inputs to the farmers at the right time, technical guidance etc.
He said that during Rabi 2022-23 the department has brought a large area of land under the cultivation of oilseed on a mission mode to increase the cropping intensity so that the income of farmers could be increased.
He said this activity leads to the increase in the production of oilseed crops and lowers the dependence on the import of edible oils from other parts of the country.
Director highlighted the importance of organic, exotic vegetable cultivation in the area. He said the department has already introduced a multidimensional marketing model where farmers are provided with the marketing facilities at their doorsteps.
While talking of the expenditures under different schemes, the Director said that funds allocated must be judiciously and fully expended in a time bound manner. He reiterated the importance of maintaining the highest level of transparency during the expenditure of funds.
Iqbal asked the concerned officer to work in coordination with district administration during the implementation of different initiatives at district level.
Chief Agriculture Officer, District Agriculture Extension Officer, Subject Matter Specialist, Fertilizer Inspector, Technical Officer (CAO Kulgam) and other officers/officials were present in the meeting.