POONCH, JANUARY 21 – Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal chaired a meeting to review the progress and achievements under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme for the current financial year 2023-24. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the program’s implementation, with updates from key stakeholder departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries. Departmental representatives presented comprehensive PowerPoint presentations covering program registrations, approvals, and ongoing initiatives.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the Chief Horticulture Officer to enhance the quality of data on the DAKSH portal and to facilitate broader participation in the Kisan Samridhi Abhiyan . He emphasised the importance of improving registration under Kisan Sathi and increasing farmer enrollments under the Kisan Krishi Gyan initiative.
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Highlighting the need for crop diversification, the Deputy Commissioner directed the promotion of multiple crops, including pulses, kinu, and hill garlic, particularly in the Mendhar region. He also recommended cultivating Rajmash in Surankote and developing organic clusters to enhance sustainable agriculture in the region.
Encouraging Innovative Schemes: The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of encouraging farmers to take advantage of various government schemes, including polyhouses and other agricultural support programs available across all subdivisions. He proposed the establishment of a Mushroom Sale Counter at key locations like the Poonch Bus Stand and near the Poonch Fort, to facilitate direct marketing of agricultural products.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner urged the Agriculture Department to focus on promoting the cultivation of till, underscoring its potential as a profitable crop.
Streamlining Processes: In a bid to accelerate the clearance of pending cases under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the Deputy Commissioner directed SDOs to visit local bank branches and expedite the approval process. This initiative aims to ensure timely and efficient support to farmers under the insurance scheme.
The Deputy Commissioner reiterated the importance of collaboration among departments and active participation from farmers to ensure the success of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme in Poonch.