Centre to set up seed processing unit in J&K

A seed processing unit will be set up in Jammu and Kashmir to help farmers in procuring high quality seeds for cultivation and generate employment in the state.
"The first-ever modern and exclusive seed processing unit in Jammu and Kashmir will be set up at Kathua and the letter to this effect has been issued by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh," MoS for PMO Jitendra Singh said during a function in Kathua today.
He further said with the setting up of this unit, not only the farmers in Jammu and Kashmir but in the neighboring states like Himachal Pradesh will be able to procure high quality seed for cultivation.

"In addition, the unit will also generate employment avenues for the youth", he added.
Singh said the district administration has also identified two acres of land for this purpose near Kathua city.
Kathua is an important nucleus center of his parliamentary constituency and in the last two years, it is credited for having been bestowed with several "firsts" in the state, Singh said.

"For example, the first bio-tech park of the state is to come up at Gati near here and the game-changer Keediyan-Gadhiyal bridge near Lakhanpur is the first of its kind inter-state bridge.
Similarly, the seed processing unit to be set up here will also be the first of its kind in the state," he said.

In response to a demand by local MLA, Rajeev Jasrotia for more funds for upcoming 'Dreamland Park' in the town, Singh said, he had already allocated Rs 40 lakh from his MPLAD fund and will also try to sanction more funds.
Singh regretted that he had given Rs 34 lakh from MPLAD fund to the Railway Department for construction of passenger benches and sheds at Kathua and Udhampur railway stations, but one year has passed and till date, there was no progress for the construction of the same.