Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today addressed a seminar on ‘Financing the Future of Agriculture’ in Jammu.
The seminar brought together the stakeholders in agriculture sectors and Banking institutions to discuss agricultural growth and credit support.
The Lt Governor exhorted the banking sector to play a lead role in realising the dream of accelerated development of Agriculture and allied sector. He also assured all the assistance to farmers and adequate funds for the revival of cooperative banks.
“In the first budget of Amrit Kaal, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister has shown the way for inclusive development & empowering every section of society with the vision of "Vanchito ko Variyata" and giving priority to the Agriculture sector,” said the Lt Governor.
Agriculture Accelerator Fund envisaged in this year’s budget, will encourage agri-startups in rural areas. It will provide entrepreneurial opportunities to local youth and affordable solutions to tackle challenges in the agriculture sector. The agriculture credit target has been increased to Rs. 20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, he added.
Highlighting the transformation in the agriculture sector, the Lt Governor said the progressive reforms introduced by the administration in the last three years are paying dividends to the farmers.
The Amrit Kaal provides us an opportunity to transform the agriculture sector and also protect the farmers from effects of unpredictable market, climate change and loss of biodiversity, he observed.
Projects under holistic development of agriculture & allied sector being implemented in J&K UT is one amongst the few major long-term and groundbreaking interventions in the agricultural horizon of the country, the Lt Governor said.
The revolutionary projects worth Rs 5013 crore for Holistic development of agriculture and allied sector will provide practical solutions to meet the future challenges, accelerate the growth momentum and usher in a new era of farmer prosperity and rural livelihood security in J&K UT, he added.
The Lt Governor impressed on all stakeholders for successful implementation of the projects under holistic development of agriculture & allied sector.
The Lt Governor said the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors will develop a strong ecosystem of agriculture entrepreneurs in Jammu Kashmir and create jobs in the sectors. It will cross the Rs 30,000 crore mark in the 4th year, he noted. The Lt Governor further emphasised on streamlining the institutional credit flow to the farmers.
J&K has its share of challenges of geo-climatic conditions which are mostly affecting small & marginal farmers. The onus lies on all banks to connect these farmers with banking system, observed the Lt Governor.
The banking industry needs to serve the small & marginal farmers, youth and women agripreneurs and act as catalyst for growth. It must be ensured that every woman who wants to become agripreneur should receive hassle-free financial assistance, said the Lt Governor.