Early Times Report
KATHUA, Nov 21: In a significant initiative to enhance agricultural productivity and encourage farmers along the Indo-Pak International Border, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kathua, Rakesh Minhas (IAS), and Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kathua, Sanjeev Rai Gupta, inaugurated the wheat sowing season in the Hiranagar Sector.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Village Chack Changa of Hiranagar Sector, witnessing the presence of Rakesh Minhas, Sanjeev Rai Gupta, along with Sub Divisional Magistrate, Hiranagar, Manisha Koul.
Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Minhas expressed the district's commitment to encourage farmers to cultivate more vacant land along the Indo-Pak International Border. He emphasized the importance of integrated farming and the utilization of modern machinery to reduce farming costs and boost income in agriculture production. The DC underscored the collaborative efforts of the District Administration, Border Security Force, and the Department of Agriculture Kathua in ensuring the safe and secure sowing of wheat crop across the border.
Sanjeev Rai Gupta, CAO Kathua, outlined the department's ambitious target of wheat sowing in 300 acres of land during the Rabi season 2023-24 along the border. He highlighted that 200 acres of land were sown on the inaugural day, involving 67 farmers from villages including Chack Changa, Karol Krishna, Karol Maithrian, and Chann Tanda.
To facilitate effective sowing, the Department of Agriculture provided farmers with machinery such as tractors and cultivators, and a team of officers and officials assisted in technical aspects. Gupta emphasized the adoption of mechanized methods, specifically endorsing the use of the Super Seeder - a highly mechanized machine capable of ploughing, sowing, and planking simultaneously, reducing input costs and saving time compared to traditional methods.
Nanak Chand, President of the Border Farmers' Association and a progressive farmer, lauded the relentless efforts of the CAO Kathua in supporting farmers along the Indo-Pak International Border. Farmers expressed their appreciation for the consistent motivation provided by the Department of Agriculture to sow vacant lands along the border in each season.
Accompanying the officials during the visit were Jamshed Singh, AEO Marheen, Narayan Singh, JAEO, Rajesh Sharma JAEO, Vishal JAEO, and Sanjay Kumar AEA. |
