J&K sets 25-year agriculture vision as HADP review concludes

Srinagar, Sep 11: Jammu and Kashmir is preparing to chart a 25-year agriculture roadmap after the three-day midterm review of the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) ended Wednesday with a brainstorming session led by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.

The review brought together members of the HADP Apex Committee, including Chairman Dr. Mangla Rai, Financial Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department Shailendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-J Prof. B.N. Tripathi, directors of line departments, principal investigators of HADP projects and faculty from SKUAST-K.

Dulloo said the program, launched two years ago, has already begun transforming agriculture in the Union Territory.

“HADP has strengthened the seed system, improved niche crop production and their competitive advantage, developed climate-resilient varieties, built value chains and fostered innovation and technology,” Dulloo said at SKAUST- Shalimar campus.

He stressed the program is changing perceptions among the younger generation.
“HADP has not only helped the farming community but also attracted youth towards agriculture, who were otherwise looking for jobs,” he said. “Capital expenditure in agriculture has increased more than threefold, while our universities have secured substantial funding for R&D, a long-term investment that will benefit the sector and farming community.”

At the same time, Dulloo said benefits need to be extended to neglected areas.
“The time is now to address far-flung areas which are yet to get benefitted from the program,” he said. “Outreach in those pockets of the UT which have not received substantial benefit is critical.”

Committee chairman Dr. Rai said the program must be used to lay the foundation for long-term policy.
“We must utilise HADP for planning agriculture policy for the next 25 years targeting prosperity and development of the region,” Rai said. “There is a need for mapping of all the water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Financial Secretary Kumar called on scientists to prepare for the future.
“Develop your ideas for HADP Phase II and Phase III envisioning a policy aimed at the next 15 to 20 years,” Kumar said.

Prof. Ganai, welcoming the chief secretary and other members, said HADP must be seen in broader social and economic terms.

“HADP is a socio-development program,” Ganai said.

The brainstorming session saw committee members, directors of line departments, principal investigators (PI’s) and SKUAST-K faculty contribute ideas on how to consolidate and expand the program.

HADP: Achievements and Road ahead

Achievements in two years:

· Strengthened the seed system across J&K.

· Boosted niche crop production and competitiveness.

· Developed climate-resilient varieties.

· Created value chains and introduced new technologies.

· Tripled capital expenditure in agriculture.

· Secured substantial R&D funding for SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J.

· Drew young people into agriculture.

Road ahead:

· Extend benefits to remote and underserved regions.

· Map all water bodies in J&K.

· Draft a 25-year agriculture policy targeting growth and prosperity.

· Develop Phase II and III of HADP with a 15-20 year vision.

· Consolidate HADP as a socio-development initiative.

Voices from the review

· “HADP has not only helped the farming community but also attracted youth towards agriculture.” Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo

· “We must utilise HADP for planning agriculture policy for the next 25 years.” -Dr. Mangla Rai, Chairman, HADP Apex Committee

· “Develop your ideas for HADP Phase II and Phase III envisioning a policy aimed at the next 15 to 20 years.” - Shailendra Kumar, Financial Secretary, Agriculture Production Department