Srinagar: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a detailed review meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the State Secretariat in Srinagar on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference, Chouhan emphasised that a developed Jammu and Kashmir is crucial to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Several important decisions were taken in the interests of farmers and rural residents of the region, he said.
During the interaction with the media alongside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chouhan noted that agriculture remains the backbone of both the Indian and Jammu and Kashmir economies, with nearly 50 per cent of the population depending on it for livelihood.
He praised the state’s initiative ‘KisanKhidmatGhar’, a one-stop centre providing farmers access to all agricultural services under one roof.
Chouhan expressed satisfaction with the variety of horticulture crops grown in the region, such as apples, almonds, and walnuts. However, he also raised a critical issue, imported plant materials often turn out to be infected after two or three years. To address this, a Rs 150-crore Clean Plant Centre will be established in Srinagar under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
It will focus on clean, disease-free planting material for apples, almonds, walnuts, and berries. Private nurseries will also be supported to ensure high-quality, pathogen-free plants are made available to farmers.
He also stated that farmers in Jammu and Kashmir who have received land allotments from the government but lack official documentation will be considered for inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The government is also planning to launch the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) soon to ensure that horticulture crops are accurately mapped and included under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Commenting on the demand for a Regional Horticulture Centre in the Jammu region, Chouhan announced that ICAR would support Jammu Agricultural University with the required infrastructure.
The minister further said that the current storage limit in CA (Controlled Atmosphere) facilities would be extended from 18 months to 24 months. For the horticulture mission, subsidies will be provided for up to a storage capacity of 5,000 metric tons. Even those who have constructed facilities with a capacity of 6,000 MT will be eligible for a subsidy of up to 5,000 MT. An MoU will also be signed between ICAR and the university to facilitate cooperation.
Highlighting ‘saffron’ as a symbol of Kashmir’s identity, Chouhan announced that the central government would establish a tissue culture lab and nursery to boost saffron production. He stated that the National Saffron Mission would be revised to accommodate local conditions, and an expert team of scientists would be established to enhance productivity and minimise losses.
To improve soil health and regulate fertiliser, Quality Control Labs will be established in Kathua, Baramulla, and Anantnag. Under the RKVY scheme, efforts will also be made to enhance irrigation by bridging the gaps from the canal to the field.
Chouhan recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the region, during which he announced over Rs 4,200 crore under Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to improve road connectivity in rural areas.
He appreciated the fast-paced work of the Jammu and Kashmir government and said that road construction for the remaining areas will begin soon.
He noted that 93 per cent of houses under the PM Awas Yojana have been completed, and the remaining eligible beneficiaries, identified from a pool of 500,000 applicants, will be allotted homes after verification. To alleviate rural poverty, women are being empowered through Self Help Groups under NRLM, with many becoming Lakhpati Didis and even Millionaire Didis earning Rs 10 lakh annually.
Regarding employment, Shivraj Chouhan stated that targets have been set to ensure job availability through the MGNREGA, and training programs for youth will commence shortly. The government will also ensure that no eligible farmer is left out of the Kisan Credit Card scheme.
In conclusion, Chouhan said that the government is proud of its achievements and committed to implementing central schemes effectively.
Echoing Prime Minister Modi’s vision, he assured that all efforts will be made to accelerate the development of Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked the Chief Minister and reaffirmed the commitment to work together for the region’s progress.