LG addressed the valedictory session of multi-stakeholder convention on holistic development of agriculture & allied sectors at Srinagar. Such efforts will deepen our understanding on critical gaps and steps required for transforming and rejuvenating main pillar of our economy.
UT’s Agri & allied sector was performing much below its potential in recent years and we took several measures to reverse the declining trend by filling credit gaps, diversification, high-density plantation, building storage capacity, market linkages and extension services.
Agriculture growth last year was recorded 3.9% and food processing growth was 11.18%. However, we have huge number of small and marginal farmers who needs financial support & benefit of central & UT schemes and handholding to meet the challenges.
Allied activities contribute more than 15% in total farm income. Dairy, Livestock, Poultry & Fisheries can become engines of high growth. Massive effort is required to create awareness amongst farmers to tap its tremendous potential & benefit from several schemes of centre & UT.
We have taken steps to exploit untapped opportunities offered by horticulture and ensuring end-to-end approach from plantation to post-harvest management and processing to marketing in order to increase the quality production as well as exports.
Transformation in agri & allied sector is not just about productivity but also about food security, empowerment of farmers and prosperity of small farming families. We are determined to translate benefit of growth into the financial security of farmers.
We are providing as many benefits to agriculture sector as available to those in the manufacturing sector, like, easy access to credit, infrastructure, pre and post harvest facilities, covering risks & uncertainties & various interventions and schemes for the benefit of farmers.
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 agri & allied sectors growth and made it more equitable and inclusive.
