SHOPIAN, DECEMBER 25: To review the physical and financial progress of centrally sponsored schemes, flagship programmes and CAPEX budget, the Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal today chaired a meeting of Officers of Shopian district at Meeting Hall of Mini-Secretariat, here.During the meeting, different centrally sponsored schemes (CSSs) being implemented by the department including RKVY, MIDH, ATMA, NFSM, PM KISAN, Soil Health Card Scheme, KISAN Credit Card Scheme etc were discussed in detail.Addressing the meeting, the Director impressed upon the concerned officers that expenditure under different centrally sponsored schemes must be judiciously and fully utilized for the welfare of farmers and the development of the farming sector in a time bound manner.Iqbal emphasised the officers of the Agriculture department for providing seeds of potato, maize, onion and other seedlings to farmers well in time so that they can avail the benefits of improvedseeds to increase their production.The Director asked the officers to take feedback from the farmers regarding the implementation of different CSSs. He exhorted the officers to work for the change of fortune of the farming community by adopting an innovative approach in their work style.He highlighted the importance of minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and asked the officers to increase awareness among the farmers regarding the soil health card scheme.Later, the Director visited Devpora Shopian to listen to the issues and demands of people of the area and to assess the facilities being provided to them by the Department of Agriculture.The Director attended an awareness programme on Nano Urea at Devpora Shopian as chief guest.The programme was organised by IFFCO.The Director on the occasion announced water harvesting tank and Bore Wells for the village.He asked the farmers to diversify their operations and adopt an integrated approach in farming so that Agriculture sector could touch new heights.Iqbal said that Agriculture is a sector that has huge potential and couldcontribute to the socio-economic development of the region in a tremendous way.DDC Vice-Chairperson, Irfan Manhas; DDC Members, Dy Director Agriculture (Planning), Chief Agriculture Officer, Shopian and other concerned were present on the occasion.
