Digital Agriculture to play important role in farmers development: Dir Agriculture

Srinagar, Aug 8: The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal Monday discussed the functioning of the department with the senior officers of the department in a meeting held at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi, here.
On the occasion, the Director reviewed the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and took stock of the district wise targets under different centrally sponsored schemes and flagship programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director asked the concerned officers to submit DPRs under the agriculture infrastructure fund scheme so that the allocated funds could be utilized for the development of the farming sector. He said the proposals should be made in consultation with the members of Panchayat Raj institutions.
Iqbal impressed upon the officers to speed up the formation of FPOs in all the districts of Kashmir division. He said by strengthening the FPOs the shared interests could be served and the goals could be achieved in a much more effective manner. He asked the concerned chief agriculture officers to highlight the success stories of their districts and the same could be replicated in other districts as well.
Director instructed the concerned officers to ensure that every penny allocated under different centrally sponsored schemes must be expended effectively in a transparent manner for the development of the farming community. He marked the importance of achieving the targets under different programmes within the stipulated time frame.
Iqbal said that amid a fluctuating weather scenario the extension officers, technical experts, and field functionaries should work in close coordination with the farming community so that farmers could be technically guided and their economic interests could be secured.
Director asked the concerned officers to increase awareness about different schemes among the farmers and ensure that farmers are made aware of the online services provided by the department.
Other schemes like PM KISAN, Soil Health Card, NFSM, and RKVY were also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Joint Director (Inputs), Joint Director (Extension), Joint Director (Farms), Joint Director (Mushroom & Apiculture), Joint Director (Engineering), Deputy Director Planning, Chief Agriculture Officers of Kashmir Division, Sectoral heads and other senior officers of the department.