Several measures taken to boost agri production in Poonch: Hanjura

Govt proposing development of Garlic, Potato villages in potential areas

JAMMU, JANUARY 20 : Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government has taken several concrete steps under central and State Sponsored schemes to make Poonch-Haveli Constituency self-sufficient in food grain production and boost the yield in traditionally rich villages for potato and garlic cultivation.

Replying to a Question of Shah Mohammad Tantray in Legislative Assembly, the Minister said that the Department has provided subsidized high yielding and hybrid variety seeds of maize, paddy and wheat besides, other non-food grain crops like mustard, vegetables and fodder as per the local area specific acclimatization.

The department also organizes farmers’ awareness programmes impart trainings, hold demonstrations about adoption of improved cultivation, post harvesting management practices and promotion of mechanized farming system available under different CSS/State Schemes, said the Minister.

The Minister informed that the department has prepared a DPR of Rs 7 crore to boost the production and quality in the garlic rich areas of the district, which is under consideration for sanction. He further said that during the year 2017-18, 10 qtls of garlic seed was provided to the farmers of Mandi, Loran, Swajian and Upper Shahpur among 330 farmers for quality production and seed multiplication. These areas are also under consideration for being developed as Garlic villages, said the Minister,

Further rolling out the development plan, the Minister for the boosting potato production, traditionally grown in villages Jhullas, Mandi, Loran and Poonch, the Government has taken appropriate steps to make them economically viable Potato villages.

“The farmers are being pursued and motivated to adopt potato crop on a larger scale through formation of potato farmer groups in these clusters/villages” he informed. He said 90 qtls of certified potato seed has been distributed in Mandi and Loran areas and 40 qtls of seed in Jullahs and Poonch areas among 557 farmers during 2017.

Giving further details, the Minister said the Department has taken several other important steps for the welfare of farmers in the area which include implementation of Fasal Bhima yojana, distribution of multi cut fodder seeds to boost the production of fodder for milch and other livestock. During Kharif 2017, around 4970 farmers have been extended coverage of Bima Yojna, said the Minister.