Jammu: Twenty-one months after India made Pakistan to recommit to the historic ceasefire agreement of November 2003, the farmers in the border areas of Jammu are gradually reaping the dividends of peace, which is though often punctuated.
In Kathua, which shares a long border with Pakistan in its southwest, the wheat crop sowing area from the current Rabi season has gone up by 200 hectares in the belts along International Border. Raghav Langer, Secretary to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the Department of Planning, today ceremonially launched the wheat sowing along the fence at International Border in Chack Changa, Hiranagar in Kathua district. He was accompanied by the officer of Border Security Force, India’s border guards against Pakistan.
Langer said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration along with BSF authorities is actively pursuing the potential of cultivation in the border belt so that farming communities get maximum benefit from the chunk of land which was lying unutilized hitherto.
On February 25, 2021, in a joint statement, the directors general of military operations of India and Pakistan agreed to “strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021.” This represented significant progress toward “achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace”
Meanwhile, Mr Langer assured the farming community of all possible help to bring more area along IB under cultivation so as to motivate other farmers of the area.
Dr Langer suggested the adoption of mechanised ways of farming by establishing machinery banks under BADP, SSY schemes so as to empower local farming communities in reaping rich dividends from their produce.
Chief Agriculture Officer Kathua informed that the target for sowing wheat crop is enhanced to 200 acres from the current Rabi season which he said will be achieved with the handholding efforts of all stakeholders, government agencies and departments.
Dr Raghav Langer also inspected various developmental works, rural assets of border panchayats and interacted with progressive farmers at Haripur.
Add Comment