Director HADP reviews progress; presses for full target execution
Jammu, Nov 03: Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP, Sandeep Kumar, IFS, on Sunday called for greater technology dissemination and innovation-driven growth in Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture sector. Chairing a review meeting at Krishi Bhawan, Jammu, Kumar emphasized the development and circulation of Packages of Practices (PoP) by SKUAST Jammu and SKUAST Kashmir to enable wider adoption of improved technologies among farmers.
He proposed the establishment of canning units under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to extend the shelf life of agri-horticultural produce and strengthen farmers’ income streams. Stressing capacity building as a catalyst for progress, Kumar directed that exposure visits of farmers to national-level institutions be organized, allowing them to learn about modern cultivation techniques, value addition, and innovative practices. He instructed officials to ensure that detailed reports of such visits are submitted promptly to the Mission Directorate.
The meeting, convened to review HADP implementation across the Union Territory, was attended by Directors of Agriculture and Horticulture from both Jammu and Kashmir, technical officers, and representatives from SKUASTs. Participants from Kashmir joined the deliberations via video conferencing.
Kumar also reviewed the Promotion of Nutri-Cereals (Millets) component, directing that millet mills be set up only in areas where cultivation is expanding and demand is genuine. He urged SKUAST to expedite GI tagging of indigenous millet varieties, noting that work was underway on seven such types. Calling for efficient fund utilization, the Mission Director instructed officials to meet expenditure targets within the current month. He underscored the importance of research, innovation, and real-time monitoring, asserting that enhanced R&D would ensure better seed varieties, higher yields, and a more resilient agriculture ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir.
