Javid Dar calls for farmer-centric approach to boost horticulture

Jammu, Aug 27: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, Thursday called for a focused, farmer-centric strategy to harness the vast horticultural potential of Jammu division, enhance farm incomes and transform horticulture into a more productive and remunerative economic activity.
The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the farmers organised by the Department of Horticulture Jammu at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, here. He was the chief guest occasion and MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta was the guest of honour.
Director Horticulture Jammu Gul Syed, Director Rural Development Jammu Shanaz Akhter, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu Sanjay Gupta, senior officers of the Horticulture Department and allied departments besides farmers attended the programme.
The interaction provided a direct platform to the farmers to share their concerns, difficulties and suggestions regarding the horticulture sector. The farmers highlighted issues related to incentives, availability of quality planting material, market support and measures required to improve production, productivity and profitability.
Responding to the concerns, Javid Dar assured the farmers that their genuine issues would be examined and addressed through coordinated interventions. He stressed that the department must maintain continuous engagement with the farming community so that policies and schemes are aligned with the ground realities and emerging needs.
On the occasion, Javid Dar released the Handbook of the Department of Horticulture Jammu, a practical reference document for farmers containing information on modern horticultural practices, departmental schemes, technologies and other farmer-oriented interventions. He also distributed sanction letters under various components of different Horticulture schemes among the eligible beneficiaries.
The initiative will facilitate the farmers in availing departmental assistance and undertaking horticultural activities in a systematic and commercially viable manner.
In another farmer-oriented initiative, the Minister flagged off buses carrying farmers for an educational and exposure visit to Government Fruit Plant Nurseries in Jammu and Samba. The visit is aimed at providing the farmers with practical exposure to modern nursery management, quality planting material, scientific fruit production and advanced horticultural technologies.
As part of the exposure programme, the farmers will also visit Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samba, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu, SKUAST-Jammu and Chakroi Farm, where they will observe field demonstrations, modern technologies and best practices that can be replicated at the farm level.
The Minister subsequently chaired a meeting of the Department of Horticulture Jammu and reviewed implementation of various schemes, programmes and farmer-oriented interventions.
The Minister directed the officers to intensify enforcement against the sale and distribution of fake and spurious pesticides and ensure stringent quality control in the market. He called for regular inspections and effective monitoring mechanisms to safeguard farmers from substandard agricultural inputs and protect horticultural production.
Javid Dar also laid special emphasis on regulating the agencies involved in supply of planting material. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that only quality and certified planting material reaches the farmers and that suppliers strictly adhere to prescribed standards. He called for strengthening the government nurseries and expanding the availability of quality fruit plants at subsidised rates.
The Minister said that development of a robust nursery infrastructure and timely supply of healthy planting material would be crucial for improving productivity and accelerating the expansion of modern horticulture in Jammu division.
Calling for a scientific assessment of horticultural potential, the Minister directed the department to identify areas best suited for fresh and dry fruit cultivation. He stressed the need for location-specific and crop-specific plans based on agro-climatic conditions, available resources and market demand, so that farmers can be encouraged to adopt crops offering better and sustainable returns.
He directed the officers to strengthen field-level monitoring, improve the delivery mechanism of departmental schemes and ensure that benefits reach eligible farmers in a transparent and timely manner. He also called for regular inspections of input suppliers and nurseries to maintain quality standards.
Javid Dar stressed that the horticulture sector holds immense potential for employment generation, diversification of agriculture and strengthening the rural economy. He called upon the officers to work with greater coordination and adopt an outcome-oriented approach to ensure that every intervention translates into tangible benefits for farmers.
Director Horticulture Jammu Gul Syed informed that the department is undertaking various interventions aimed at improving the production, productivity and quality of horticultural produce with emphasis on modern technologies and high-density plantation. He also apprised the Minister of the support being extended to farmers under different departmental schemes.