Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura released the 'Farmers Friendly Handbook' for schemes and programmes at a function organised by Agriculture Department here today.Vice Chairman Kisan Advisory Board Daljit Singh Chib, VC SKUAST Jammu Dr P.K Sharma, Secretary Agriculture Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Director Agriculture HK Razdan, Director Command Area Development, President Dogri Sanstha Jammu Prof. Lalit Mangotra, HoD Urdu, Jammu Dr Liaqat Zafri, Dr JavedRahi and Professor Nirmal Vinod besides other officers from allied departments and progressive farmers were present on the occasion.The Handbook has been released in two languages - Urdu and Dogri for better dissemination of agro information to farmers.Pertinently, the publication of booklet of programmes and schemes in native languages will facilitate handy information and awareness among farmers about the guidelines, norms and pattern of assistance under Centrally Sponsored Flagship Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Soil Health Cards Scheme (SHC) etc.The handbook will also provide information regarding marketing schemes, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Cultivation of Fruits, Vegetables, Mushrooms, Flowers and bee-keeping to increase farmer’s income, Seed Production Technology, Agriculture Mechanisation, Agriculture Extension and Training, Agriculture Credit, Plant Protection etc.
Hanjura commending the department on launching these handbooks in Dogri and Urdu said that this initiative has been long awaited and comes at an opportune time to give impetus to efforts towards doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.“Reaching out to farmers in their respective mother/regional languages shall have far reaching implications and shall benefit the farmers by increasing their understanding of various schemes of central and state government for welfare of farming community of our state” the Minister said. Understanding of the schemes both by the farmers and implementing agencies shall also help in maintaining check and balances, he added.The Minister congratulated the team responsible for successfully executing this task and asked the department to organize mega awareness camps and ensure that the books and the relevant information reach every Panchayat and every farmer.Vice Chairman Kisan Advisory Board, appreciating this initiative, said that these Handbooks in native languages will increase the reach of information dispensation besides lead to wider penetration of scheme details at ground level. He also appreciated Minister for his visionary approach towards development of this sector in the state.VC SKUAST-J said that these Handbooks will help farmers better understand and take benefits from various centrally and state sponsored schemes launched for their development. He stressed for putting special efforts towards further developing irrigation facilities, especially in far off areas besides extensive marketing efforts for achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.The progressive farmers also shared their experiences and gave valuable suggestions for further development of farmers at ground level. They expressed appreciation for releasing the farmers' Handbook in local languages.