J-K: Centrally-sponsored schemes help boost paddy farming

Directly benefitting from the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanchai Yojna (PMKSY), farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district have taken up paddy farming on a large scale.

Under the scheme, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2015, the farmers are provided with subsidised seeds and manure and technological aid to help them boost yields.

"A total of 8000 hectares of land in Rajouri district is used in paddy farming. All the sub-divisional agricultural officers give us a requirement for seeds, which we provide to the people at subsidised rates. We also provide them with technological support to ensure maximum yields," Mohammad Younus Choudhary, the Chief Agriculture Officer of Rajouri told ANI on Wednesday.

A farmer said that the PMKSY has improved the lives of a lot of farmers in the area as everyone has a means to earn a living now.

"We have all taken to farming now and are very satisfied. Now we eat only farm-grown unadultrated food that keeps us healthy. The grains (rice, wheat) we used to receive from ration shops were not healthy. The agriculture department officials also co-operate with us," said the farmer.