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| NABARD projects Rs.1514 cr credit plan for J&K | | Sahni calls for collaborative efforts to increase agriculture production | | Jammu March 28
‘Saying that agriculture sector in the economy is at a subsistence level’, Principal Secretary Agriculture Production S S Sahni in his inaugural address at a State Credit Seminar 2007-08 organized by NABARD here today stressed the need for collaborative efforts to increase the agriculture production.
He said that agricultural productivity in the state is deficient with regard to the food grain requirements of Jammu and Kashmir and to address this issue there should be a paradigm shift from subsistence farming level to surplus production, he added.
He remarked that there is immense potential in sericulture, poultry and dairy sectors in the state and efforts therefore needed to be made to meet the strong basic demand for value added products.
Sahni stressed on the need of synchronization of efforts of the credit agencies and the line departments in harnessing the potential of under ground water irrigation.
The Seminar was among others attended by, Regional Director RBI, Registrar Cooperative Societies, senior bureaucrats of State Government, bankers from commercial banks, PRBs, Cooperative banks and selected NGOs. On this occasion, State Focus Paper 2007-08 and Sectoral-Papers of core sectors were released by Principal Secretary Agriculture, who was the chief guest.
In his address, O P Aggarwal Regional Director RBI said that Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards economic prosperity with an estimated growth rate of 6 per cent during 2005-06 against an average growth rate of 5 per cent during the previous five years. He requested the Regional Rural Banks to consider opening branches in two districts of
Ladakh region to improve the banking outreach there.
Registrar Cooperatives Dr G N Qasba raised his concern over the week structure of cooperatives in the state and requested the Central Government to extend relaxations of eligibility norms on the lines of north-eastern states which are set for primary agricultural societies for availing financial package for revival announced under Vaidhanathan Committee recommendations.
In his welcome address S.Mohapatra, Chief General Manager Regional Office NABARD Jammu lauded the efforts of various stake holders viz State Government, RBI, all banks, NGOs and the farmers in enabling credit disbursement of around Rs.1168 crore for various sectors as on ending December last.
Mohapatra said that continuous effort of banks to dispense credit unabatedly has taken the Credit Deposit ratio to over 40 per cent in the state which was hovering around 30 per cent for last so many years. He said state has a vast untapped potential existing in the agriculture sector and the trend in increase in the CD ratio is just a pioneer.
In order to curb the problem of price fluctuation for agriculture produce, he felt the need for creating and expanding the storage capacities of rural go downs and at the same time state government should work out some tax relief and incentive schemes for the farmers and agri-oriented industries at rural level to increase their competitiveness in the market.
CGM said that State Focus paper 2007-08 has been prepared based on the field level studies, interaction with concerned officials of the banks, development departments and other agencies both at district and state level, apart from taking into account the Government of India’s policy as well as that of State Government. He said
A new chapter on agro processing has also been included to give boost and special attention to this sector in the State and added that the credit potential under priority sector during 2007-08 in Jammu and Kashmir has been projected at Rs.1614.22 crore. Of this, Rs. 466.57 crore has been earmarked for agriculture sector, Rs.429 crore for non farm sector and Rs.718.58 for other priority sectors.
On this occasion a detailed technical presentation was also made in minor irrigation, animal husbandry, Non farm sector, plantation, agriculture and agro processing. .
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