Agriculture sector in J&K grew 3.9 percent last year: LG Sinha

“The agriculture growth last year was recorded at 3.9 per cent and food processing at 11.18 per cent,” Sinha said while addressing the valedictory session of a multi-stakeholder convention here on holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sinha said the farm and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir were performing much below their potential in recent years.

“J&K administration took several measures to reverse the declining trend by filling credit gaps, diversification, high-density plantation, building storage capacity, market linkages and extension services,” he added.

Appreciating the organisers of the convention, Sinha said such efforts will deepen understanding on critical gaps and steps required for transforming and rejuvenating the main pillar of our economy.

Deliberations among eminent agricultural scientists, policymakers, academia and farmers will lead to formulation of a futuristic roadmap for rapid growth in agriculture and allied sectors, he noted.

Sinha further said there were huge number of small and marginal farmers who need financial support and benefits of central and UT schemes.

Noting that the allied activities contribute more than 15 per cent to total farm income, the Lieutenant Governor said dairy, livestock, poultry and fisheries can become engines of high growth.

He also emphasised the need to make massive efforts for creating awareness among farmers to tap the allied sectors’ tremendous potential and benefit from several schemes of the Centre and the Union Territory.

“In the last two years, we have come out with a viable strategy to achieve the historic task of ensuring higher incomes to our farmers. We have overcome several hurdles to sustain a higher rate of agriculture and allied sectors’ growth and made it more equitable and inclusive,” Sinha said.

He also urged the high-powered committee of agricultural scientists being constituted under the chairmanship of renowned scientist Mangala Rai, to prepare a futuristic blueprint which can be implemented in the next three years.

Sinha highlighted the steps taken to exploit untapped opportunities offered by horticulture and ensuring end-to-end approach from plantation to post-harvest management and processing to marketing to increase quality production and exports.