India lives in her villages. Gandhiji repeatedly emphasised upon the development of village as majority of population not only live in the villages but agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the rural people. The natural farming can find its true purpose only when it is backed scientifically. In spite of this, agriculture has been suffering from various odds in the country. One of the major problems of our agriculture is increase in the number of marginal and small holdings which is more than 80% in recent years. In such situation mechanisation is not possible, employing of labour for cultivation is economically not viable. Dependence on family members is the only option. Family members may not be well versed with farming techniques. Under such circumstances, optimal use of land is not possible. There are hundreds of such like other problems with the small and marginal farmers. Therefore, it becomes essential to have regular meetings/interactions with the people in this field to mutually share the experiences at various levels. The Union Government has launched several programs/ schemes for development of small and marginal farmers, in particular, to ensure at least double income for them. Like many other States/ Union Territories across India, serious and sincere efforts are being made in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
A two day ‘Innovative Farmers Conference’ on “Farmer Led Innovations for Enhancing Farm Income” has been held on 23-24th February 2021 at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu. The conference has provided for an exclusive platform to farmers to exchange ideas and gain new knowledge in farming. Surely, with transmission of ideas and knowledge sharing for transforming agriculture and allied sectors and for realizing the goal of doubling farmers income, success stories of innovative and progressive farmers from across the country could be replicated in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
On this occasion Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha felicitated the Padma Shri Awardees and other innovative farmers. Sinha termed them as ‘key change makers’ in agricultural development and a motivating force for farming community. He also urged them to disseminate their technical know-how so that others may also utilize the same for raising their income. More than 100 prominent progressive farmers from many States and Union Territories including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have participated and shared their valuable experiences among themselves to gain mutually.
The Lieutenant Governor further observed that transfer of technology from universities to farmers is imperative for introducing the farmers with innovative ways of farming. In order to provide a substantial increase in farmers income, Sinha called for developing strategies and credible mechanisms for upscaling the farmers-led innovations, further strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat and making J&K AtamaNirbhar in agriculture sector, and also providing sustainable income and livelihood to farmers. He also emphasised for speedy dissemination of technological interventions from lab to fields. The book on success stories of innovative farmers and other farming-related informative publications, in local languages, were also released by Sinha.