Calls for leveraging horticulture potential in untapped districts
JAMMU: A meeting regarding the priming and review of the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) was held today under the chairmanship of Mission Director HADP/JKCIP, Rahul Yadav here in the conference hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Director of Horticulture Jammu, Director of Animal Husbandry, Director of Sheep Husbandry, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension/SLUB), and officers from agriculture and allied departments. The Director of Agriculture Kashmir and heads of allied departments participated via video conferencing.
During the meeting, Mission Director Rahul Yadav emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to develop a curriculum for training programs aimed at enhancing the skills of trainers, which will ultimately benefit farmers. He urged participants to focus on developing the horticulture sector in districts that are not currently recognized for it, leveraging their unique strengths in this field.
The Mission Director suggested involving farmers and private stakeholders in forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to promote niche crops, with active credit linkage and support from financial institutions in the Union Territory. He highlighted that the primary objective of the JKCIP is enhancing the competitiveness and climate resilience of farmers through various initiatives, including production support, value addition, and marketing of high-value niche crops produced across the UT.
The project encompasses several key verticals, including Agri Niche Crop Production, Horticulture Crop Promotion under climate-smart and market-led production initiatives, Agri-Business Ecosystem Development—which involves enterprise promotion, market promotion, and incubation, and startups— support for vulnerable communities engaged in various sectors of farming, and Project Management to ensure effective implementation.
Mission Director’s insights aim to foster a robust agricultural framework that not only enhances productivity but also strengthens the overall economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.