Early Times Report
POONCH, June 20: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Poonch, functioning under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, Poonch, today organized a live screening of the nationwide PM-KISAN release programme at its office campus.
The main central event was organized at Tarakeswar in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, where Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, alongside Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressed the nation. The 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN released today from Tarakeswar will benefit innumerable hardworking farmers across India, PM Modi said To mark the occasion locally, more than 100 progressive farmers and farm women from various clusters of District Poonch gathered at the KVK premises to watch the live broadcast.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi executed the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of approximately ?18,800 crores, which was deposited directly into the bank accounts of nearly 9.44 crore eligible farmers across the country. This flagship scheme continues to provide essential financial assistance, bringing a sense of economic security and stability to millions of rural livelihoods. To maximize grass-roots impact, a live webcast of the central event was arranged across all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR Institutes, and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) nationwide.
Prior to the live telecast at KVK Poonch, Chief Scientist & Head, Dr. Ajay Gupta, briefed the gathering on the ongoing month-long "Khet Bachao Campaign". This active campaign is being jointly executed by KVK and the Agriculture Department across all three sub-divisions of Poonch to create widespread awareness about reducing chemical fertilizer dependency, encouraging balanced fertilizer application, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
Following the Prime Minister's address, Sh. Jog Raj Slathia, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Poonch, along with officials from the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department, addressed the farmers. The Chief Agriculture Officer highlighted that the ongoing "Khet Bachao Campaign" continues to aggressively promote soil health management, soil testing, the issuance and utilization of Soil Health Cards, natural farming methodologies, and water conservation techniques.
Concluding the program, Dr. M. A. Guroo extended a vote of thanks to the farmers and farm women for their active participation, reassuring them that the KVK officials and scientific staff remain fully dedicated to assisting the farming community round the clock. |
