Borders residents in Jammu are literally reaping the good harvest of the renewed vows taken by India and Pakistan to uphold the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
The harvesting of Rabi crop across Zero Line along the International Border in village Karol Krishna of Hiranagar sector started on Thursday which was kick started by Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rahul Pandey.
For many years, the border residents were unable to carry out any warning activity as their agricultural farms and orchards had turned into killing fields with repeated skirmishes between the armies of India and Pakistan.
However, with New Delhi and Islamabad vowing to uphold the 2003 ceasefire agreement, the farmers are happy about the restoration of their normal lives.
Farmers living along the border areas have bene toiling hard and Pandey appreciated the community for their extensive efforts in bringing back cultivation to the abandoned fields which were lying barren for decades.
During the visit, Pandey was accompanied by DDC Member Karan Attri, CO BSF Shekhar and other concerned officers.
While speaking on the occasion, the DC said the handholding efforts of the administration supported by BSF is now bearing fruits as is evident from the increasing trend in harvest with each successive crop year.
Pertinently, during Rabi 2021-22, the area sown under Wheat Crop was 141 Acres, wherein 35 farmers were roped in for cultivation.
Subsequently, the area under cultivation was increased to 251 Acres during Rabi 2022-23 wherein the number of farmers rose to 66 which stand testimony to the relentless efforts put in by the district administration to ease the lives of farming communities along the IB.
Among others, District Agriculture Officer (Extension), Kathua Murari lal, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer, Dayalachak, Ashwani Sharma, AEO-Marheen , Jamshed Andotra, JAEO- Marheen Narayan Singh and AEA Sanjeev Singh were also present on the occasion.