In a major move to boost the morale of farmers and to create awareness about latest farmer friendly technologies and initiatives, Agriculture department of J&K today held a massive awareness-cum-farmer’s camp at Srinagar district’s Balhama village where hundreds of farmers opted for online schemes of Holistic Agriculture Development Programs (HADP) worth Rs 5000 Cr.
In the function, senior BJP leader and DDC member Er Aijaz Hussain was chief guest, who hailed the Agriculture department’s public outreach at Balhama stating that such programs are need of the hour to boost the morale of farmers and to expose them to the latest technologies aimed at promoting Agriculture and Horticulture ventures. It is pertinent to mention that Centre has sanctioned Rs 5000 Crore grant for J&K farmers under various HAPD schemes that include Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) Horticulture, Apiculture, Sericulture and Agriculture where people especially youth can avail subsidy between 50 per cent to 90 per cent to start their own ventures set by the J&K Administration. A few important schemes of HADP in J&K include: Infrastructure Development that covers rural roads and markets to cut down transportation costs, Technological Advancement under which promotion of modern farming techniques and equipment is done, Farmer support services that entails provision of subsidies and financial support for inputs like seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, Horticulture Development that focuses on the cultivation of high value horticulture crops like apples, saffron and walnuts and Livestock and Dairy Development which emphasises on improvement of livestock breeds and veterinary services including promotion dairy farming.
In his address, Er Aijaz Hussain said that farmers are an innocent lot who need to get exposed to different initiatives through awareness programs launched by the Agriculture department in collaboration with other departments that include Fisheries, Animal, Sheep and Husbandry, Poultry Horticulture and other departments. The representatives of these departments in their one to one interaction with the farmers briefed them about benefits of various government initiatives and pro-farmer schemes including those where loan facilities are available to start fresh venture or to expand the existing ones.
On the occasion, hundreds of farmers opted for online registration of the department to avail benefits of various schemes and programs. Er Aijaz Hussain, termed the interest shown by farmers in these programs as a welcome development and stated that such programs will soon be held in Khonmoh, Zawoora, Zewan and other adjoining areas so that maximum farmers get benefits of government schemes under Holistic Agriculture Development Programs (HADP).
In the program, young farmers were provided information about use of latest technology, seeds, and fertilisers as well. The officials of the Agriculture department stated that the department was always ready to help farmers to promote their produce and in using the latest technology.There are hundreds of beneficiaries who availed benefits under HADP scheme.
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