Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, May 30 : The State Level Sanctioning Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Khandey Thursday reviewed the implementation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in Jammu and Kashmir and also approved the proposed action plan 2013-14 of Rs. 146.69 crore. Out of the total amount of Rs. 146.96 crore, an amount of Rs. 24.78 crore has been earmarked for normal RKVY, Rs. 100 crore for Saffron Mission, Rs. 7 crore for vegetable initiative for urban clusters and Rs. 14.91 crore for National Mission on protein supplement.
Stressing the need for bringing more clusters under vegetable initiative, the Chief Secretary said that it has registered phenomenal success both in Srinagar as well as Jammu besides other traditional vegetable growing belts in other districts should also be brought under the scheme. As many as 2154 green houses have been distributed during last three years in Kashmir while as 900 green houses have been distributed in Jammu, the meeting was informed. Under the Saffron Mission, the Chief Secretary called for giving further impetus to boost saffron production through land rejuvenation, constructing bore-wells in saffron belts for improving irrigation, improving quality of flowers and marketing facilities. During 2012-13, Rs. 50 crore was released for the purposes which have been utilized in full, the meeting was told. Division wise and sector wise review of the performance registered under the RKVY scheme during 2012-13 was held with the directions by Chief Secretary to the implementing agencies to work in close coordination for ensuring targets fixed for this year are met. He said better implementation of the scheme in the state will boost yield of agriculture and its allied sectors and maximise profits of the farming community.
Detailed discussion were held on improving marketing facilities, introduction of hybrid and high yield seed varieties, expediting distribution of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) among farmers, improving irrigation facilities to vegetable clusters and saffron belts, promotion of Organic-farming, Mushroom and Apiculture, Protected cultivation, Traditional varieties of rice, wheat etc, establishment of dairy units, cold storage chains, creating infrastructure for marketing of Agricultural, Horticultural, Floriculture and Fish products etc. The meeting was attended by Joint Secretary Union Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Sanjeev Chopra, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Mr. Tej Pratap, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, Mr. B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Agriculture production, Mr. Asgar Samoon and Administrative Secretaries, other senior officers. |
