Farmer Friendly Future
Recently the apex agricultural institution of J&K, SKUAST-K organised a mega event showcasing the agricultural landscape of the valley, the accomplishments of the university, the entrepreneurial initiatives taken by individuals and groups across Kashmir. This was an occasion when the media glare was bound to shine on it, and bring agriculture to focus with its varied dimensions – research, entrepreneurship, farming, and new practices in the filed.
It was here at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Shalimar Campus, post attending the live streaming of Prime Minister’s address from Bhagalpur, Bihar, marking the release of the 19th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, CM of J&K, Omar Abdullah made a very pleasing statement. He said, “The government remains committed to creating a farmer-friendly ecosystem that promotes agricultural sustainability and long-term growth.”
It is a given in our valley that the backbone of economy is agriculture and allied sector. Though our agricultural land has reduced in size because of the pressures of urbanisation and conversion of agricultural land for other purposes, but the scientific techniques employed now still give the quantum of produce that compensates for the reduced land size for agricultural activities. Besides, the uptick in horticulture opened up a new prospect for old and young farmers. Not just that, the apple growing in now becoming more of an entrepreneurial activity than the traditional farming. In this backdrop the statement of the CM that a farmer friendly ecosystem will be created deserves to be responded by ground level feedback. Despite all the good schemes prepared by the concerned departments, there are some areas where the people’s representatives need to connect directly to the farmers and know from them what all can be done to promote a farmer friendly ecosystem.
The responsibility of the government is to shape a collaborative policy framework, taking the idea of sustainability and long term growth into account. If modern scientific equipment, coupled with the research based education, reaches the fields, farms and orchids, it can give us results of revolutionary proportions. If Omar Abdullah government translates the statement into reality, it will create a new economic reality on the ground, changing much in its wake that would contribute to better future in this part of the world.
