Agriculture backbone of state's economy: Vohra

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra today said agriculture was the backbone of the state's economy and the development of the sector would benefit over 70 per cent of the population of the state.
"Agriculture sector is the backbone of the state's economy and it is, therefore, necessary that every effort is made to improve, upgrade and modernize it. The development of the sector will benefit over 70 percent of the population of the state," Vohra said after inaugurating a two-day 'Kisan Mela' starting here today.
He said that it was important to ensure that research done in Farm Universities is adequately focused on developing improved seeds and plants and superior technologies for achieving higher productivity in the rain fed areas.

The Governor also urged the farmers to get the utmost benefit of the newly introduced schemes "Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana" and "Krishi Sinchai Yojana" announced by the government of India.
Vohra also stressed the need to rear quality breeds of cattle and goats for the State to become self reliant in the production of dairy and meat products.
He said that the state was importing mutton, fish, poultry and milk products with over Rs 1500 crore a year, adding if effective initiatives are taken, the state should be exporting them.
Besides raising agricultural productivity by introducing high yielding varieties of seeds and application of new technologies, the Governor stressed the need for the agriculture in the State to shift to newer practices.