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Tag: Project

  • Govt Approves Rs 329 Cr Project To Achieve Self Reliance In Mutton Sector

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    JAMMU: In view of huge mutton usage in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Kashmiri cuisine and in order to reduce meat import in the Union Territory, the government has approved an ambitious Rs 329 crore project for next five years to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector.

    The project is aimed at creating 6000 jobs besides setting up of 122 enterprises in the mutton sector in the Union Territory.

    The initiative also envisages achieving self-reliance in the mutton sector through a combination of innovative interventions including vertical upgrades, horizontal expansion besides focused attention on health cover and nutrition. One of the major interventions planned is import of muttonous breeds, which will lead to establishment of 72 breed-based farms to provide high genetic merit to animals. Additionally, the project aims to conduct 1,00,000 Artificial Inseminations (AIs) annually and establish 400 new commercial farms every year. The project also focuses on clusterization, creation of mandis, abattoirs and common facility centers (CFCs), to support marketing and value addition of the sector.

    “Investing in growth and improvement of mutton sector in J&K is not only about boosting production and reducing import costs, but it is also about providing quality and safe meat to consumers, improving the livelihoods of traditional farmers besides creating new job opportunities in the region,” said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.

    He added: “Apart from increase in production and productivity forward linkages, which are acutely lacking in the sector, will be established through formation of 50 Farmer Producer Organizations and Self Help Groups with linkage to 10 new abattoirs and in-built value chains integrated with 10 sheep mandis and 50 CFCs.

    Mutton has been an essential part of the Kashmiri cuisine for generations and Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse geography, has a significant demand for mutton. Despite the regions competitive advantage and potential to become self-reliant in the mutton sector, there is a shortfall of 41 per cent leading to an import bill of ₹1400 crore every year. Additionally, the existing mutton production is not only of insufficient quantity but also lacks quality and is not FSSAI compliant, putting consumers at risk.

    The majority of the livestock population is held by Bakerwals who follow traditional methods of farming, resulting in low productivity and profits. The UT has less than five breeds of sheep with the majority being dual purpose breeds such as Kashmir Merino, Rambouillet, and Corriedale. However, there is increasing demand for fast-growing mutton breeds like Dorper, Romnov, South Down and others.

    ‘Reorienting priorities: Self-Sustenance in mutton production’ is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD besides Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

    The expected output from the project included import of 2700 high genetic merit/elite sheep and goats, increased lambing percentage from 80 to 120 and considerable reduction in marketable age for sheep and goats (40-50 kg in 6 months). The germplasm of the elite animals will be propagated through artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques to intensify genetic conversion. The project aims to double the farm income through early weight gain, improved carcass yield and production and reduce lamb mortality. Effective health cover is expected to prevent production losses by 20-30% and provide consumers with safe and quality meat.

    The project is anticipated to bring significant benefits to farmers and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir. The creation of commercial farms and establishment of breed-based farms will boost mutton production and improve the quality of meat available to consumers. The marketing and value addition initiatives will help farmers get better returns for their produce, while health cover and nutrition interventions will reduce production losses and improve the overall well-being of the animals. The project will also create job opportunities and promote entrepreneurship, contributing to the economic development of the region.

    Ultimately, the project which is aimed at to achieve self-reliance in the mutton sector in Jammu and Kashmir, is a crucial step towards meeting the growing demand for mutton in the region. The project also intends to address the shortcomings in the existing mutton production and provide consumers with safe and quality meat. The project is also likely to bring numerous benefits to farmers and consumers, create job opportunities and contribute towards overall economic development of the region.

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    #Govt #Approves #Project #Achieve #Reliance #Mutton #Sector

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • J&K Govt approves Rs 329 cr 5 year project to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector

    J&K Govt approves Rs 329 cr 5 year project to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector

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    JAMMU, FEBRUARY 12: In view of huge mutton usage in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Kashmiri cuisine and in order to reduce meat import in the Union Territory, the government has approved an ambitious Rs 329 crore project for next five years to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector.

    The project is aimed at creating 6000 jobs besides setting up of 122 enterprises in the mutton sector in the Union Territory.

    The initiative also envisages achieving self-reliance in the mutton sector through a combination of innovative interventions including vertical upgrades, horizontal expansion besides focused attention on health cover and nutrition. One of the major interventions planned is import of muttonous breeds, which will lead to establishment of 72 breed-based farms to provide high genetic merit to animals. Additionally, the project aims to conduct 1,00,000 Artificial Inseminations (AIs) annually and establish 400 new commercial farms every year. The project also focuses on clusterization, creation of mandis, abattoirs and common facility centers (CFCs), to support marketing and value addition of the sector.
    “Investing in growth and improvement of mutton sector in J&K is not only about boosting production and reducing import costs, but it is also about providing quality and safe meat to consumers, improving the livelihoods of traditional farmers besides creating new job opportunities in the region.”, said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.
    He added: “Apart from increase in production and productivity forward linkages, which are acutely lacking in the sector, will be established through formation of 50 Farmer Producer Organizations and Self Help Groups with linkage to 10 new abattoirs and in-built value chains integrated with 10 sheep mandis and 50 CFCs.

    Mutton has been an essential part of the Kashmiri cuisine for generations and Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse geography, has a significant demand for mutton. Despite the regions competitive advantage and potential to become self-reliant in the mutton sector, there is a shortfall of 41 per cent leading to an import bill of ₹1400 crore every year. Additionally, the existing mutton production is not only of insufficient quantity but also lacks quality and is not FSSAI compliant, putting consumers at risk.

    The majority of the livestock population is held by Bakerwals who follow traditional methods of farming, resulting in low productivity and profits. The UT has less than five breeds of sheep with the majority being dual purpose breeds such as Kashmir Merino, Rambouillet, and Corriedale. However, there is increasing demand for fast-growing mutton breeds like Dorper, Romnov, South Down and others.

    ‘Reorienting priorities: Self-Sustenance in mutton production’ is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in UT of J&K.

    The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD besides Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.
    The expected output from the project included import of 2700 high genetic merit/elite sheep and goats, increased lambing percentage from 80 to 120 and considerable reduction in marketable age for sheep and goats (40-50 kg in 6 months). The germplasm of the elite animals will be propagated through artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques to intensify genetic conversion.

    The project aims to double the farm income through early weight gain, improved carcass yield and production and reduce lamb mortality. Effective health cover is expected to prevent production losses by 20-30% and provide consumers with safe and quality meat.

    The project is anticipated to bring significant benefits to farmers and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The creation of commercial farms and establishment of breed-based farms will boost mutton production and improve the quality of meat available to consumers. The marketing and value addition initiatives will help farmers get better returns for their produce, while health cover and nutrition interventions will reduce production losses and improve the overall well-being of the animals. The project will also create job opportunities and promote entrepreneurship, contributing to the economic development of the region.

    Ultimately, the project which is aimed at to achieve self-reliance in the mutton sector in Jammu and Kashmir, is a crucial step towards meeting the growing demand for mutton in the region.

    The project also intends to address the shortcomings in the existing mutton production and provide consumers with safe and quality meat. The project is also likely to bring numerous benefits to farmers and consumers, create job opportunities and contribute towards overall economic development of the region.

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    #Govt #approves #year #project #achieve #reliance #Mutton #sector

    ( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

  • J&K Govt approves Rs 329 cr 5 year project to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector

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    Jammu, Feb 12 (GNS): In view of huge mutton usage in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Kashmiri cuisine and in order to reduce meat import in the Union Territory, the government has approved an ambitious Rs 329 crore project for next five years to achieve self reliance in Mutton sector.

    The project is aimed at creating 6000 jobs besides setting up of 122 enterprises in the mutton sector in the Union Territory.

    The initiative also envisages achieving self-reliance in the mutton sector through a combination of innovative interventions including vertical upgrades, horizontal expansion besides focused attention on health cover and nutrition. One of the major interventions planned is import of muttonous breeds, which will lead to establishment of 72 breed-based farms to provide high genetic merit to animals. Additionally, the project aims to conduct 1,00,000 Artificial Inseminations (AIs) annually and establish 400 new commercial farms every year. The project also focuses on clusterization, creation of mandis, abattoirs and common facility centers (CFCs), to support marketing and value addition of the sector.

    “Investing in growth and improvement of mutton sector in J&K is not only about boosting production and reducing import costs, but it is also about providing quality and safe meat to consumers, improving the livelihoods of traditional farmers besides creating new job opportunities in the region.”, said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.

    He added: “Apart from increase in production and productivity forward linkages, which are acutely lacking in the sector, will be established through formation of 50 Farmer Producer Organizations and Self Help Groups with linkage to 10 new abattoirs and in-built value chains integrated with 10 sheep mandis and 50 CFCs.

    Mutton has been an essential part of the Kashmiri cuisine for generations and Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse geography, has a significant demand for mutton. Despite the regions competitive advantage and potential to become self-reliant in the mutton sector, there is a shortfall of 41 per cent leading to an import bill of ₹1400 crore every year. Additionally, the existing mutton production is not only of insufficient quantity but also lacks quality and is not FSSAI compliant, putting consumers at risk.

    The majority of the livestock population is held by Bakerwals who follow traditional methods of farming, resulting in low productivity and profits. The UT has less than five breeds of sheep with the majority being dual purpose breeds such as Kashmir Merino, Rambouillet, and Corriedale. However, there is increasing demand for fast-growing mutton breeds like Dorper, Romnov, South Down and others.

    ‘Reorienting priorities: Self-Sustenance in mutton production’ is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD besides Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

    The expected output from the project included import of 2700 high genetic merit/elite sheep and goats, increased lambing percentage from 80 to 120 and considerable reduction in marketable age for sheep and goats (40-50 kg in 6 months). The germplasm of the elite animals will be propagated through artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques to intensify genetic conversion. The project aims to double the farm income through early weight gain, improved carcass yield and production and reduce lamb mortality. Effective health cover is expected to prevent production losses by 20-30% and provide consumers with safe and quality meat.

    The project is anticipated to bring significant benefits to farmers and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir. The creation of commercial farms and establishment of breed-based farms will boost mutton production and improve the quality of meat available to consumers. The marketing and value addition initiatives will help farmers get better returns for their produce, while health cover and nutrition interventions will reduce production losses and improve the overall well-being of the animals. The project will also create job opportunities and promote entrepreneurship, contributing to the economic development of the region.

    Ultimately, the project which is aimed at to achieve self-reliance in the mutton sector in Jammu and Kashmir, is a crucial step towards meeting the growing demand for mutton in the region. The project also intends to address the shortcomings in the existing mutton production and provide consumers with safe and quality meat. The project is also likely to bring numerous benefits to farmers and consumers, create job opportunities and contribute towards overall economic development of the region.(GNS)

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    #Govt #approves #year #project #achieve #reliance #Mutton #sector

    ( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

  • BJP shies away from caste census to safeguard its Hindutva project

    BJP shies away from caste census to safeguard its Hindutva project

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    Lucknow: With regional parties in Uttar Pradesh raising the issue of caste census, the ‘Mandal’ brand of politics is all set to return to the Hindi heartland after almost three decades.

    The regional parties, namely, the Samajwadi Party which is the main opposition party in UP, have sensed that denting the Bharatiya Janata Party is a near impossible task in 2024 since, by then, the Ram temple would be ready and the BJP’s Hindutva plank would be reinforced like never before.

    State chief minister Yogi Adityanath has already given a peek into the 2024 poll issues when he recently said that the election would be 80 versus 20 — 80 being Hindus and 20 being the minorities.

    The Samajwadi Party has now played the caste census card to change the arithmetic to 85 versus 15 — 85 being the OBCs and Dalits and 15 being the upper castes.

    The Central government’s recent disapproval of a demand for a national caste census has only made the SP play the caste card with a vengeance and put the BJP in the dock.

    The BJP believes that any such exercise would inflame caste-based social and political sentiments and harm the Hindutva-nationalist project. Caste has always been an intrinsic component of Indian democracy.

    As a veteran BJP functionary puts it, “One’s caste can control access to political power, land, and police or judicial assistance. Castes also tend to influence local politics by being local to certain areas. A caste census may increase caste feelings in some people and that may lead to clashes, especially in villages where maintaining anonymity is difficult. Political parties will then tend to represent the interests of specific castes and the inclusiveness of policy making will be lost.”

    On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party believes that an enumeration of the OBCs in a caste census will provide hard data about their numerical strength in different states.

    These numbers will be utilised further to examine the share of the OBCs in different state institutions.

    “It is obvious that most of the sectors of power, such as the judiciary, educational institutions and the media, are controlled and monopolised by the social elites, giving the Dalit-Bahujan groups just a minuscule presence. A caste census will provide the socio-economic nuances of the OBC population and will show that their representation in different institutions is not according to the size of their population. With the acknowledgement of such a precarious social fact, a new political consciousness will emerge amongst the socially marginalised groups, forcing them to initiate a new movement for social justice,” said a SP leader.

    Interestingly, giving an impetus to backward politics, Uttar Pradesh’s deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, in an unexpected turn of events, has backed the opposition demand for a caste census — a move that is now being viewed by analysts as a ploy to undercut the opposition plan to corner the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue.

    “I am all for it,” Maurya said, adding, “neither me, nor my party are in opposition on the subject.”

    However, he had no answer why Uttar Pradesh has not yet followed the Bihar example, where a caste census has been announced.

    The SP, which is playing a proactive role on the issue, said, “By supporting the caste census demand, the BJP’s deputy CM Keshav Prasad has now raised questions about his own party’s governments at the Centre and in UP. Now, will Yogi say when, like Bihar, caste census would be ordered in UP?”

    The Samajwadi Party has also been using its non-Yadav OBC face Swami Prasad Maurya to connect with the Backwards and the Dalits by raising the issue of the alleged insult to the Backwards in the Hindu epic ‘Ramcharitmanas’ and simultaneously flagging the demand for a caste census.

    The party has shrewdly linked the caste factor with religion and hopes to strike it rich.

    Political analysts feel that in such a discourse, the BJP will surely be marginalised and its ‘Hindu First’ card may not work in the maze of casteism.

    A caste-based census could go a long way in bringing a measure of objectivity to the debate on reservations.

    According to the Rohini Commission, which was formed to look into equitable redistribution of the 27 per cent quota for OBCs, there are around 2,633 castes covered under the OBC reservation.

    Some castes have different names in different places, and some castes are pronounced differently. In total there are 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes in India, each related to a specific occupation.

    There have been demands for the release of the caste census data from the Census of 2011.

    However, the most important argument in the news reports against the release of the caste census data and the use of caste as a census category is that such data will further create caste divides and be used for divisiveness by political parties.

    The BJP, therefore, is holding it back to prevent “divisiveness that goes against the nationalist currents.”

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    #BJP #shies #caste #census #safeguard #Hindutva #project

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Charminar Pedestrianisation Project is matter of prestige: KTR in Assembly

    Charminar Pedestrianisation Project is matter of prestige: KTR in Assembly

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    Hyderabad: Telangana MA&UD minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Saturday said that the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) is a matter of prestige for the state government and citizens will see good results in the coming six months as works are happening in a brisk pace.

    “Our agenda is to get the World Herigate Status to Hyderabad. If we want that tag from UNESCO, its important to maintain and improve Charminar,” he remarked.

    Responding to questions on the project from AIMIM legislators, the minister assured that he is personally monitoring the works as Charminar is a matter of pride for Hyderabad.

    “Charminar will always be the emblem of Hyderabad irrespective of the number of tall and new buildings we get,” KTR remarked.

    “Restoration and redevelopment of Lad Bazaar, redevelopment of Sardar Mahal, pedestrianisation bridges on Musi, multilevel car parking and khilwat and old RTC bus station, restoration of Badshahi Ashoorkhana, restoration of Gulzar Houz, restoration of Kali Kamaan, redevelopment of Mir Alam mandi, redevelopment of Murgi Chowk are part of the project,” he said.

    KTR also said that the cooperation of bodies that are responsible for 29 structures which have been affected by the CPP project works like Mosques, Temples, chillas, will be asked for. “I ask the AIMIM MLAs for cooperation to move works forward,” he added.

    “Works of the Outer ring road (5.4 km), inner ring road (2.3 km) are happening; The construction of granite pavements from Charminar to Gulzar, Charminar to Sardar Mahal, granite pavement at Lad Bazaar, granite cobblestone at Mecca Masjid, street scaping of the old city from Madina to Pattarghatti, construction of a duct are completed. The Construction of central median will be taken up after finishing road widening works along with HMR metro rail works, central lighting will be taken up, road markings will be done,” he informed.

    KTR said that along with this, works are in progress to setup an adequate number of bollards that are needed for the project. “I will need your (AIMIM MLAs) help as there is political resistance there. Also, works to replace the existing cobblestone at Lad Bazaar are happening,” he stated.

    Road widening works under the CPP project

    The Minister informed that road widening works from Char Kaman to Agra Hotel, from Charminar Police Station to Kali Kamaan and BSNL office via Darul uloom High School (except one property of the school which is currently discussion with the education department) are complete. “Also, from Mitti ka sher to Zulu khaana works were stayed by the High Court. So works are delayed,” he added.

    “From Mahajareen Camp to Julu Khana market, consulations are happening with the minority welfare department as the roads are going through their property. From Himmatpur to Fateh Darwaza, a total of 172 properties should be acquired for road widening works. 102 have already been demolished. 70 are still pending. We will try to complete them in 2-3 months. From Hussaini Alam to Doodh Bowli, a total of 192 properties are on the list. 83 have already been demolished. 109 are still pending. We will try to complete them in 2-3 months. Funds have been allocated,” he further said.

    For a hawker’s parking place under the CPP, KTR said that the government has proposed the Old Charminar bus stand as the suitable place. “4000 sq yards land has been allocated. A detailed project report is ready. I will soon lay a foundation,” he said.

    KTR said that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority have allocated the sums of Rs 75 crore and Rs 25 crore respectively. “Even if another Rs 35 crore is required, HMDA is ready to provide,” he added.

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    #Charminar #Pedestrianisation #Project #matter #prestige #KTR #Assembly

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • ‘AIIMS Bibinagar project delayed indefinitely’, alleges Uttam Kumar Reddy

    ‘AIIMS Bibinagar project delayed indefinitely’, alleges Uttam Kumar Reddy

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    Hyderabad: Lok Sabha Congress MP, N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday said that the construction of All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) Bibinagar has been delayed indefinitely by the Central Government with a lack of transparency.

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare answered MP Uttam Kumar’s question in Lok Sabha regarding the long-pending AIIMS Bibinagar project and said that the tender has been awarded but did not provide any timeline for the completion of the project.

    “A long-standing public demand of Telangana State has been delayed indefinitely by the Central Government and moreover with a shameful lack of transparency, no reliable information has been provided. Instead, the Government has revised information provided by themselves repeatedly, and have not furnished a single reason for the continuous delays,” said the Nalgonda MP.

    The Telangana MP had raised a similar question on September 18, 2020, in the Lok Sabha and the Union health ministry informed the House that the timeline for completion of AIIMS Bibinagar is September 2022.

    In February 2022, the Ministry informed that the date of completion has been pushed to November 2023 and subsequently in July 2022 when MP Uttam Kumar asked for a timeline of completion, the Ministry stated that the project will be completed by January 2025.

    On Friday, in reply to the MP’s question, the Union health ministry only replied that the tender for the construction of AIIMS Bibinagar has been awarded in July 2022 but did not specify any timeline of completion.

    Section 93 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act required the Central Government to complete certain guarantees within 1O years, and AIIMS Bibinagar was one of them. The Government revealed in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2022, that out of Rs 1028 crore sanctioned for AIIMS Bibinagar only Rs 29.28 crore has been released so far.

    The MP alleged that the Union government has displayed startling inconsistency in providing information about the status of AIIMS Bibinagar. The medical institution is a part of developmental guarantees and has been delayed for a very long time.

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    #AIIMS #Bibinagar #project #delayed #indefinitely #alleges #Uttam #Kumar #Reddy

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • J&K Govt Launches Project To Promote Sustainable Agriculture With Focus On Organic Farming

    J&K Govt Launches Project To Promote Sustainable Agriculture With Focus On Organic Farming

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    JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated a vital programme to support its farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in the Union Territory.

    With a growing concern for health and an increasing demand for organic food, the government is investing in a project that will boost organic food production and increase economic returns for farmers in the UT. This is a part of the government’s larger efforts to create a safer, cleaner and more sustainable environment for agriculture and food production in the region.

    The government has kept a budget of Rs 84 crore to support the program over the next five years. This initiative is part of a larger effort to promote sustainable agriculture, commercial agriculture and healthy food production. The project envisages creation of over 12600 jobs and 300 enterprises in the organic agri-sector.

    The program included a range of interventions to support organic farming such as expanding organic cultivation in a cluster approach, producing and recycling bio-inputs, facilitating certification and marketing and providing training and capacity building for farmers. The project aims to create six to seven organic clusters per district, covering a total of 2000 hectare of land. Additionally, it aims to convert another 2000 hectare into organic production, including niche crops and default organic areas. The program will also provide training to 10,000 farmer families in organic farming and establish 200 commercial and 3000 low-cost vermicompost units and 100 Integrated Organic Farming System Units. Besides, two Bio-Input Production Units will also be set up to supply organic inputs for the production clusters.

    “The project will have a number of positive outcomes which will further fuel growth in organic production within J&K, including development of trained manpower and a package of practices suited to the region, dedicated bio-input production facilities, certification and branding facilities and an organic value/market chain.”, said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department.

    “J&K has a number of remote areas where very little chemical use is being undertaken in Agriculture. Moreover, the farmers in these areas are usually marginal and economically weak. By promoting organic cultivation, the livelihood of these farmers will be secured and their returns significantly improved,” he added.

    “Alternate Agriculture System for Sustainability” is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics and Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, ACS, Agriculture Production Department apart from the Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

    One of the main goals of the project is to expand the area under certified organic cultivation to 4000 hectares, involving 10,000 farmer families. The program aims to promote organic farming and provide farmers with knowledge about organic input production and resource recycling, as well as help them obtain certification for their produce, fetching a premium price in the process. The program will also help build the capacity of scientists, extension workers, and farmers.

    The program will garner support from a number of stakeholders including participatory farmers, certification organizations such as NCOF, APEDA, NPOP and PKVY, organic entrepreneurs for bio-input production and SHG/FPOs/CIGs for effective marketing.

    In a nutshell, the project on Alternate Agriculture System launched by the J&K government is a major step forward in promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting the economic well-being of farmers in the region. By promoting organic farming and creating a value chain for organic produce, the program will not only help create a clean and safe production ecosystem, but also make a significant contribution to the state’s GDP. This project is expected to bring about a major transformation in the agriculture sector in J&K, providing farmers with a sustainable source of livelihood for years to come.

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    #Govt #Launches #Project #Promote #Sustainable #Agriculture #Focus #Organic #Farming

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Jammu and Kashmir gears up for fruit revolution with high density plantation project

    Jammu and Kashmir gears up for fruit revolution with high density plantation project

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    Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to revolutionise its fruit industry with introduction of the High-Density Plantation (HDP) system and production of quality planting material.

    The UT’s Department of Horticulture, in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR-CITH), have got together to provide technological intervention for the new project.

    The project aims to enhance the production capacity of planting material to 111 lakh in the first five years, develop 390 hectare of nurseries in public and private sectors, rejuvenate 2,000 hectare of orchard areas, and produce planting material to cover 5,500 hectare under HDP of 12 fruit crops.

    Additionally, the project aims to strengthen plant testing and quality control, tissue culture, and virus indexing labs besides building capacity by training 5,000 farmers and 150 technical manpower from SKUAST and the Department of Horticulture. The project shall create 200 new enterprises in the form of HD nurseries and provide potential jobs to 25,000 persons.

    “The current lack of quality planting material in the region limits the potential of the fruit industry and costs the region approximately Rs 500 crore in imports, which also brings in new pests and diseases,” Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production, Atal Dulloo, said.

    “The mission of the project is to domestically produce quality planting material, reduce imports, prioritize high-density plantation of fruit crops, transform old orchards into more productive orchard systems, and diversify the JK fruit industry to capture the national and international market,” he added.

    “Production of Designer Plants for Promotion of High-Density Plantation and Rejuvenation of Orchards” is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.

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    #Jammu #Kashmir #gears #fruit #revolution #high #density #plantation #project

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )