Food deficit J&K making progress in farm output level:Agri Min

Jammu and Kashmir, a food deficit state, is making remarkable progress in the production of some of the important crops like paddy, maize and vegetables, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
The hilly state imports nearly 7 lakh tonnes of foodgrains annually. The lower farm production is mainly due to mono-cropping system, fragmented land holdings as also geographical and climatic conditions, he said.
Addressing a farming community in the state capital, the minister said: "In order to bridge the gap between the production of foodgrains and consumption, the state is striving to increase production level of various crops including food crops."

The state is implementing the centrally sponsored agri- schemes to boost the farm output. The latest data shows that J&K has achieved remarkable success in enhancing the production level of some important crops like paddy, maize, vegetables and saffron, he said in a statement.
On setting up of a saffron park in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, the minister said the 24.45 crore park is likely to be operational by November 2017.
The National Horticulture Board is entrusted with the task of establishing the park in Pampore, Pulwama, which will have facilities of quality control lab, export promotion activity and e-auction centre, he added.

Singh also noted that India can become one of the world's major economic powers by developing agro-processing industry.
Highlighting the farm initiatives taken in the last three years by the Modi government, the minister said the government has launched new schemes including distribution of soil health card, expansion in irrigation facilities, low-cost organic farming, national e-market among others.