Jammu, Jan 06: Highlighting the efforts the UT administration is doing to safeguard the rights of farmers, to make their homes and farms prosperous, and to instil self-respect in the more than 13 lakh farmer families, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said this is J&K’s moment to shine and agriculture, allied sector will be the mainstay of the economy.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated this while inaugurating UT level training & orientation program for effective implementation of 29 projects under holistic agriculture development plan at the Convention Centre.
A total of 638 training schedules are planned at the divisional and districts level for the next 4 months.
LG said that the ambitious projects aim to make farming viable, steady and sustainable with better input, extension support, risk mitigation and ensuring remunerative prices and market support.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that four months long capacity building drive will ensure availability of quality human resources and provide necessary ground support for implementation of holistic agriculture development plan.
“The new projects will drive sharp growth in Agriculture & Allied Sector, boost local economy & improve the productivity and resilience in the current system. I firmly believe, technology, innovations will enable continuing output growth without adding much to input cost”, he added.
The Lt Governor further said: “This is J&K’s moment to shine and agriculture, allied sector will be the mainstay of the economy. The ambitious projects aim to make farming viable, steady and sustainable with better input, extension support, risk mitigation and ensuring remunerative prices and market support”.
Sinha said that implementation of any scheme on the ground depends on four major factors – Mechanism, Resource, Coordination and Evaluation. And, it is these four aspects which translate the policy into an action programme.
“The fifth factor is also necessary in the implementation of this ambitious project of the agriculture sector and that is Sensitivity. The farm has its own nature, it has its own language which the farmer understands very well. All stakeholders must extend support to farmers, “he added.
“New agri-business enterprises, youth engagement & providing them unlimited access to resources, opening up employment opportunities in agriculture & allied sectors are other important areas we are focusing on. Our aim is also to create a secure ecosystem for small & marginal farmers,” the Lt Governor added.
The Lt Governor said the concept of climate-smart-agriculture will give a new shape to the food security system.
“Rural Business & Service Hubs will boost agriculture marketing in J&K and ensure that benefits of crops reach directly to farmers. District officials need to act as a medium between farmers & agri-policies. There must be a better coordination at all levels, ’’said the Lt Governor.
Barriers and challenges can be easily overcome by individual competence, organizational capabilities, commitment, information tools and resources, he added.
‘’I firmly believe with this much needed reform, young generation will take up farming as a viable career option in the future,’’the Lt Governor said.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also released a publication on Soil Testing Manual.
Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, on the occasion highlighted that the policy document for holistic development of Agriculture & allied sectors will have a significant impact on the growth and development of J&K’s Agriculture and its economy. He informed about the details of mega training and orientation program to be organized at UT level, Divisional level and Districts level.
2.5 lakh youth will be connected with sustainable employment in Agriculture & Allied sectors through skill development courses in five years, he further said.
Prof Nazir Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir in his welcome address highlighted the key features and goals of the Policy made for holistic development of Agriculture & Allied sectors.
Prof JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Jammu delivered the vote of thanks and said the 29 projects are holistic in every sense in generating specialty products and their promotion in the national and international markets.
HODs, District officers from across the UT, Faculty members of SKUAST-J and SKUAST-K, technical experts, farmers, agriculture scientists, members of Kisan Advisory Board, besides others were present on the occasion.
‘Art is a powerful instrument for social transformation’
Asserting India’s deep connection with the culture & traditions, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said ‘’collective resolve for the cultural journey of the next 25 years is to re-establish the glory of India on the world stage. Youth energy, national unity and self-reliant society will play a crucial role in realizing this resolution.”
Inaugurating Amrit Yuva Kalotsav, a cultural festival organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi to mark 75 years of India’s independence, the Lt Governor said, the Amrit KaalKhand is the opportune moment to build a powerful and self-reliant India by strengthening the cultural and social unity of the country, adding, the onus to achieve this goal and ensuring the welfare of humanity rests on the shoulders of our youth
The event featuring young artists from across the country in the field of performing art will showcase India’s art styles & traditions.
Underscoring the need to bring the young generation closer to the roots of art and cultural heritage, the Lt Governor saidAmrit Yuva Kalotsav is also an opportunity to look at our rich cultural legacy. India is the only country in the world which has created a balanced environment for science, art and spirituality to grow and blossom together, he observed.
‘’Art is a living element of our tradition and its different forms will play an important role in building a self-reliant India. This festival is an opportunity to see the vastness of life’s values,’’ noted the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor said, youth is the most powerful driver for change in the 21stcentury and they will play a crucial role in equitable development & transformation of the society.
I believe science is the search for development and Art is the expression of that development. For centuries, the different art forms have kept the consciousness of the society awake and ignited,”added the Lt Governor.
The cultural heart of India is filled with lyrics & ragas. Various art forms are not about technicalities but the flow of the heart, he observed.
Art is a powerful instrument for social transformation. On the path of developmental journey, India always considered cultural divinity and spirituality as the top priority, the Lt Governor added.
For centuries, various performing arts, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Hindustani classical music and other genres have kept the arts alive for the future generation and have also made efforts to unite the whole country through it, he further added.
The Lt Governor also motivated the youth to recognize their unique potential and contribute towards nation building. “We must remember that the responsibility of preserving our cultural treasure and the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is on the shoulders of the youth,” the Lt Governor said.
Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson, Sangeet Natak Akademi, while speaking on the occasion highlighted the efforts of the Akademi to connect the youth with the cultural heritage. A workshop on Art Critique is also being organized as part of the 3-day long festival of music, dance & drama, she informed.
Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages andAneish P. Rajan, Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi also spoke on the endeavours of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and JKAACL in providing platform to young artists and promoting unity in diversity.
Amrit Yuva Kalotsav is being organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, and Girdari Lal Dogra Memorial Govt. Degree College, Hiranagar.
Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, Eminent Theatre personality; Abdul Ghani Kohli, former Minister; Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, renowned artists, and prominent citizens were present on the occasion at Abhinav Theatre.
