Jammu and Kashmir to boost mushroom production: Dulloo

“Mushroom cultivation shall now be around the year activity which previously was a short duration crop,” said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department and Vice Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans.

He was addressing a Kisan Sammelan organised by the J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans in coordination with Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department here at Kisan Bhawan, Talab Tiloo.

He informed that under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan 26 pasteurized compost units, 10 spawn production laboratories and 72 compost units shall be established in J&K to boost production of mushroom.

Dulloo said that through these Kisan Sammelans the department has succeeded in achieving visible progress in the agriculture field both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu /SKUAST-Kashmir, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganie was also present during the seminar.

“The aim of Kisan Sammelan was to facilitate an exclusive interaction of progressive Mushroom Growers with officers of AP&FWD and allied sectors besides receiving feedback from the Board members of Jammu division about the government schemes and policies with special focus on Mushroom production, its scope and impending challenges as well,” he added.

The ACS advised the farmers to avail full advantage of schemes available under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan and National Horticulture Board.

Responding to simplification of official procedures and requirements for availing subsidies, he informed that work on establishing an online dashboard is under progress by the Agriculture Production Department.

This dashboard shall be an online portal where all schemes under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan and other Heads shall be available in a farmer friendly manner.

Responding to integration of Poultry with Mushroom Cultivation, Atal Dulloo asked the AP&FWD to establish compost units where the poultry waste and chicken manure can be utilized in Mushroom production.

He informed that training modules have been framed for the officers and officials and farmers as well to make them fully aware about the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan for its implementation on ground.

He apprised that videos on the schemes, policies and successive stories of progressive farmers have also been made available on YouTube.

He informed that 2000 Khidmat Centres are also being established where such facilities for our farmers can be made available besides the information about inputs in agricultural activities like information about use of fertilizers, pesticides and soil health is also being shared.

Regarding Skill development, ACS said that a learning management system is being created under this programme where the youths shall be trained how to establish their start-ups and this system shall be in addition to our offline training programmes.

Dulloo asked the Secretary J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans to extend these Kisan Sammelans to district and block level so that more and more farmers can be joined through these platforms.

He assured that the board members shall be involved in Monitoring committees for smooth and complete implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Plan.

VC SKUAST-Jammu/ SKUAST-Kashmir, appreciated the efforts of the Board for organizing such types of events which give an opportunity to our farmers to use this platform for getting their problems and day to day drudgeries heard and simultaneously addressed.

He informed that under Holistic Agricultural Development Policy new horizons in Agriculture shall be exploited for which a budget of Rs 5000 crore has been approved by the government.

Besides, export promotion of the produce has been initiated to scale up the business chains. He informed that more Agricultural products are being brought under GI tagging to make these products competitive in the International market.

He said that 2.5 lakh youths have been trained under skill development programmes. He informed that nine students from SKUAST J and SKUAST K have been sent to the USA by the department for an exposure tour.

Board Member, Dr. Pardeep Bharti, informed that the Poultry sector and Mushroom cultivation are two interlinked professions that can be good models for integrating farming.

(With UNI inputs)