Develop J&K as floriculture State:Omar

    Jammu, February 24 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday highlighted the potential of Jammu and Kashmir as a State of flowers adding that floriculture promises greater economic future to the people here.

            “The State is on threshold of achieving self-reliance in the production of flowers and our next step should be making Jammu and Kashmir a brand name in the global floriculture market”, he said enumerating the economic advantages of commercial floriculture in present day world.

            Omar Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir can emerge as one of the biggest flower exporters in the world if the sector is nurtured in a befitting manner, roping in investors and persuading budding entrepreneurs to venture in the field.

            Speaking at a awards giving function to the progressive farmers of Jammu division here, the Chief Minister said that the constitution of awards for progress farmers is an endeavour to encourage farming community and recognize their hard work. He said that a similar function was organized at Srinagar last week.

            Omar reiterated the importance of agriculture and allied sectors in the State’s economic development and welfare. He said Government is putting in measures to give impetus to agro-based activities and encourage ventures by young persons in this sector.

            The Chief Minister said that a proposal has been forwarded to the Centre Government for Basmiti Mission for Jammu division on the analogy of Saffron Mission for Kashmir. “A comprehensive proposal in this regard is under the active consideration of Union Government and we expect a positive response from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on this during his visit to Jammu in the month of March 2011, when he is scheduled to address SKUAST, Jammu Convocation”, he added.

            Omar Abdullah said that the State Government has provided handsome share to the agriculture and allied activities in the current year’s Budget and due consideration will be given to this aspect in the formulation of next year’s Budget.

            Calling for transforming the trend of subsistence agriculture into the progressive and commercial farming, the Chief Minister said that glamour in agriculture and allied activities is required to be created to encourage young people to take it as a career.

            “I have asked the Agriculture Department to work out a scheme where under attractive incentives will be provided for transforming the traditional agriculture practices into commercially viable cash crops cultivation”, he said adding that urgent measures are required in this direction. “We have already made remarkable headway in giving boost to the agriculture and allied sectors in the State”, he said and asked the concerned officers to put in every effort in realizing the goal of self-sufficiency in agriculture production envisioned by the Government.

            The Chief Minister said that pressure on agriculture land is increasing and land holding in Jammu and Kashmir for the purpose is below the national average. “This necessitates added attention on cultivation of improved varieties of seeds and application of modern farm practices to increase per unit production and productivity”, he said asking for focusing on organic farming and utilization of other modern trends in agriculture and allied sectors.

            Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir and Minister for Horticulture, Shyam Lal Shama presented a resume of the achievements registered in the State in agriculture and horticulture sectors during the last two years.

            Referring to constitution of Kissan Board in the State, Mir said that this initiative of the Chief Minister is first of its kind in the country. “It has bridged the gap between Government and the agriculturists”, he said adding that pre-budget discussions between the Minister for Finance and farmers is yet another innovative step taken by Omar Abdullah led government.

            Shyma Lal Sharma underscored the need for utilizing vacant lands for developing orchards and said that horticulture activities in the State have received considerable fillip during the last two years.

            Agriculture Production Commissioner, Iqbal Khandey also spoke on the occasion while legislators, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry, senior functionaries of allied departments were present on the occasion.

            The Chief Minister awarded State level awards to Kunj Lal of village Gordi in Udhampur district and Sanjay Kumar of village Dadwara in Kathua district. He also presented best farmer’s awards of district and block levels to about 150 progressive farmers.

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