JAMMU: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired a review meeting of the Agriculture Department at Talab Tillo, Jammu.
He reviewed the physical and financial progress of various schemes and programmes being implemented across Jammu division.
The meeting held detailed and threadbare deliberations on implementation of Capex, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), NABARD works and Jammu and Kashmir Comprehensive Investment Plan (JKCIP) besides other UT funded initiatives.
Director Agriculture, Jammu, Anil Gupta, gave a detailed presentation on district-wise progress of ongoing projects, fund releases and expenditure under different schemes.
The Minister also took stock of the current year’s financial performance and reviewed the crop-wise area, production and productivity achieved during 2025-26. He directed the officers to maintain strict focus on timely utilisation of funds and ensure that all ongoing projects are executed within the stipulated timelines. He emphasised that implementation of government schemes must be closely monitored at every level so that their intended benefits reach farmers without delay.
Giving special emphasis to the quality and regulation of agricultural inputs, the Minister directed the concerned officers to establish a dedicated enforcement toll post at Lakhanpur to ensure strict adherence to the rules governing fertilizers, pesticides and seeds. He called for intensified enforcement and regular field inspections to prevent the movement and sale of substandard, spurious or unauthorised agricultural inputs. He also directed the senior officers to undertake frequent field visits and personally monitor the agricultural activities and enforcement measures.
The Minister stressed that protecting the farmers from poor-quality inputs must remain a priority. He called for effective coordination among the concerned agencies to ensure strict implementation of the prescribed regulations.
Describing agriculture as the “backbone of our economy,” Javid Ahmad Dar said that strengthening the agriculture sector is crucial for improving farmers’ incomes, generating rural employment, ensuring food security and giving a further boost to the rural economy. He called upon the officers to adopt a result-oriented and farmer-centric approach, with greater emphasis on modern technology, scientific interventions, field-level monitoring and efficient delivery of government schemes.
Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta, Managing Director JKHPMC Dr Farooq Ahmad Dar, Joint Directors, Chief Agriculture Officers of Jammu division and other senior officers and concerned officials attended the meeting.
Later, Javid Dar visited Agriculture Farm Chinor, where he inaugurated the Seed Separation and Processing Unit, a significant addition to the farm’s seed production and processing infrastructure. The facility is designed to facilitate the systematic cleaning, grading, processing and treatment of harvested seed lots. This will help in removing foreign matter, weed seeds and damaged or inferior kernels and thereby improving seed purity, quality and germination potential.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underscored the importance of quality seed in enhancing crop productivity and improving the economic returns of farmers. He stressed the adoption of modern scientific techniques in seed processing, treatment and management to ensure the supply of pure, healthy and high-germination seed to the farming community.
Javid Dar said that strengthening seed processing infrastructure would contribute significantly towards improving the quality of agricultural inputs and reducing farmers’ dependence on external sources. He directed the department to ensure optimum utilisation of the newly established unit and extend its benefits to a larger number of farmers.
The Minister also reviewed the functioning of Agriculture Farm Chinor and took stock of the activities being undertaken there. He directed the officers to focus on modernisation of farm operations, efficient utilisation of available resources and adoption of improved agricultural practices. He further called for developing the farm as a demonstration and knowledge-support centre where farmers can be exposed to modern technologies, improved seed varieties and scientific farming practices.
MLA Marh, Surinder Kumar Bhagat, accompanied the Minister during the visit.
Senior officers and officials of the Agriculture Department were also present on the occasion.
