Farmers’ Darbar held

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday organised Farmers Darbar at Maloora, Srinagar to reach out to the farmers to take appraisal of their grievances for accurate and on ground assessment and redressal of the same. The Darbar was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal. Speaking on the occasion, the Director appreciated the farmers participation in the program and urged them to come forward and work in a coordinated manner with the department for the overall development of the agriculture sector.
Maloora area being major producer of Capsicum and other vegetables in Srinagar district, Director assured the farmers that improved varieties of Capsicum and other vegetables duly recommended varieties will be provided to the farmers for earning more profits.
Pertinently the Farmers Darbar is being conducted at Bandipora, Pulwama, Srinagar and Kulgam and the program is scheduled initially for the month of January 2021 and will thereafter continue.
Later, the Director initiated the sowing of capsicum seeds under protected cultivation at Maloora, while expressing his views on the occasion he highlighted the need of adopting modern and smart agricultural practices with latest trends around the globe, to earn more remuneration for betterment of farming community.
He said off-season vegetables of Kashmir are likely to attain a brand and it is regularly entering terminal markets in the country.
The Director assured all possible help to safeguard the interests regarding the production and marketing of the vegetable crop of the farmers.
He directed the Officers of the department to put in all efforts to promote organic farming and work on getting Geographical Indication (GI) for the organic produce. He urged to create Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO’s) at block level with different areas of specialization for maximising profits/benefits.