Srinagar, Aug 20: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today flagged off a group of 250 farmers for a one-day training programme at the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Rangreth, Srinagar.

The initiative was aimed at strengthening the farmers’ technical capacity and familiarising them with the modern, scientific and sustainable agricultural practices.
MLA Lal Chowk, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi besides others was present during the flag-off ceremony.
During the training programme, organised by the Kisan Advisory Board, J&K, the farmers will interact with the agricultural and horticultural experts and scientists. They will find solutions to various issues, challenges and field-level concerns being faced by them in crop cultivation in their respective areas.
Addressing the participating farmers, Javid Ahmad Dar emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building, knowledge enhancement and exposure to the emerging technologies in agriculture and allied sectors. He said that such programmes are aimed at providing the farmers with practical and scientific knowledge of modern farming techniques, including improved crop management practices, balanced and judicious use of fertilisers and pesticides, adoption of advanced technologies and promotion of sustainable agricultural methods.
He stressed the need to encourage environmentally sustainable and natural farming practices while simultaneously ensuring higher productivity, improved quality of produce and enhanced profitability for farming families.
Javid Dar said that it is being ensured that such training programmes, exposure visits and farmer-oriented capacity-building initiatives are organised on a regular basis so that the farming community remains abreast of the latest innovations, technologies and best practices. He maintained that strengthening the knowledge, skills and technical capabilities of farmers is vital for transforming the agricultural sector, enhancing farm incomes and making farming more productive, resilient and sustainable.
The Minister urged ipon the participating farmers to interact freely with the experts and scientists, seek technical guidance and share their field-level experiences and concerns. He said that such direct interactions would help in developing practical and locally relevant solutions to the challenges confronting the farming community. He underscored the importance of strengthening the linkage between research institutions, extension agencies and farmers so that scientific innovations and technologies reach the field effectively and translate into tangible benefits for the farming community.
The Minister appreciated the Kisan Advisory Board and the concerned departments for organising the training programme. He called for sustained efforts towards empowering the farmers through knowledge, technology and institutional support.
Director Horticulture Kashmir, Secretary Kisan Advisory Board, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Managing Director JKHPMC, Director J&K Horticulture Marketing and Processing and other senior officers of the concerned departments were present on the occasion.