JK to boost mushroom production: Dulloo

Jammu, Feb 5: The J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans organized a Kisan Sammelan in coordination with Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department at Kisan Bhawan, Talab Tiloo here.
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department and Vice Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, Atal Dulloo, inaugurated the seminar in presence of Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu /SKUAST-Kashmir, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganie.
The aim of Kisan Sammelan was to facilitate an exclusive interaction of progressive Mushroom Growers with officers of AP&FWD and allied sectors besides receiving feedback from the Board members of Jammu division about the government schemes and policies with special focus on Mushroom production, its scope and impending challenges as well.
Apart from Board members, all heads of Departments of Agriculture, scientists from SKUAST-Jammu, officers of AP&FWD were present on the occasion.
While addressing the participants, Atal Dulloo said that through these Kisan Sammelans the department has succeeded in achieving a visible progress in agriculture field both qualitatively and quantitatively. He said mushroom cultivation shall now be around the year activity which previously was a short duration crop. He informed that under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan 26 pasteurized compost units, 10 spawn production laboratories and 72 compost units shall be established in J&K to boost production of mushroom.
ACS advised the farmers to avail full advantage of schemes available under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan and National Horticulture Board.
Responding to simplification of official procedures and requirements for availing subsidies, he informed that work on establishing an online dashboard is under progress by the Agriculture Production Department. This dashboard shall be an online portal where all schemes under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan and other Heads shall be available in a farmer friendly manner.
Responding to integration of Poultry with Mushroom Cultivation, Atal Dulloo asked the AP&FWD to establish compost units where the poultry waste and chicken manure can be utilized in Mushroom production. He informed that training modules have been framed for the officers and officials and farmers as well to make them fully aware about Holistic Agriculture Development Plan for its implementation on ground. He apprised that videos on the schemes, policies and successive stories of progressive farmers have also been made available on YouTube. He informed that 2000 Khidmat Centres are also being established where such facilities for our farmers can be made available besides the information about inputs in agricultural activities like information about use of fertilizers, pesticides and soil healthis also being shared.
Regarding Skill development, ACS said that a learning management system is being created under this programme where the youths shall be trained how to establish their start-ups and this system shall be in addition to our offline training programmes.
Atal Dulloo asked the Secretary J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans to extend these Kisan Sammelans to district and block level so that more and more farmers can be joined through these platforms. He assured that the board members shall be involved in Monitoring committees for smooth and complete implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Plan.