Kargil: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon inaugurated a day long Exhibition, Awareness camp on Natural Farming and also attended the concluding ceremony of Viksit Krisha Sankalp Abhiyan organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kargil (KVK) and Department of Agriculture here today at Sapi Village on Friday.
Addressing the event, the CEC Dr Jaffar said, farmers are the backbone of our society and their economic empowerment naturally strengthens the nation.
He congratulated Sapi Village for getting selected under the Organic Farming village scheme.
He added that Ladakh has been practising natural organic farming for centuries and now with the Government intervention to promote organic farming, Ladakh will further go ahead in this mission.
Scientists from concerned departments and progressive farmers should explore all ways and means to make Ladakh an Organic Union Territory, the CEC added.
The CEC appreciated the efforts of the Agriculture Department and KVK for achieving sustainable development in the Agriculture and allied sectors in the district in recent years.
Dr Jaffar added that organic products have more value in the market and farmers should practise this form of farming on a large scale.
He added that 95% procurement of inorganic fertilizers has already been curtailed by the concerned departments.
Related to the various demands related to the development of the village the CEC assured of necessary intervention.
He said that a proposal for the upgradation of the Medical Centre has already been sent, further the demand of ambulances will be explored in a possible way.
The CEC applauded the Sapi villagers for their communal harmony and mutual co-existence, which is really inspiring.
Director Horticulture Tsewang Phunsok also congratulated the village for getting selected under Organic Farming scheme and added that as now Ladakh has a good number of qualified scientists in the field of Agriculture, people should take maximum benefits from their valuable suggestions and expertise to increase the agricultural capacity of Ladakh.
He assured that the public will benefit from all sponsored schemes related to the betterment of agriculture and farmers.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Ashiq Hussain Basharat expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and the villagers for joining the event and making it a success.
He added that Viksit Krisihi Sankalp Abhiyan went from 29 April -12 June at Sapi in which villagers of Fokar and Sapi participated.
He added that during this campaign the farmers were informed about all the schemes and benefits provided by allied departments.
He added the reason Sapi has been chosen as an Organic Farming village is because of its remote geography and organic farming is already being practiced here.
Dr Nasreen Fatima Kacho Head KVK informed that in Kargil around 4500 farmers participated In Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan more than the target of 2200 given by the ICAR.
She expressed all concerned departments including Agriculture and Animal Husbandry for making the campaign a success.
Nawang village representatives thanked the CEC and concerned departments for organising the event in the village. He also shared some demands including Airtel Mobile towers, strengthening health centre, grass for cattle, repair of irrigation kuls and Green houses.
The CEC was also felicitated by traditional Khataks by the representative of Buddhist and Muslim Communities of the village.
The CEC assured that needful will be done to resolve the issue and said that he will visit the village again with the concerned officers to assess the situation.
District Agriculture Officer Dr Razia Banoo on the occasion gave vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and farmers for participating in the event.
Later on, momentos were distributed among the progressive farmer Feroz Hussain and Kaneez Fatima from RGAMO group Shargole. Further Media persons from DD Leh and Air Kargil Mansoor Lamkhan and Anayat Shotopa were also felicitated with mementos by ye dignitaries for their constant support in dissemination of the initiatives of KVK and Agriculture Department.
Kacho Alamgir Khan conducted the programme proceedings. The event was attended by Director Horticulture, Chief Agriculture Officer Kargil, Head Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kargil (KVK), Scientists of KVK besides officers of Agriculture Department and a good number of progressive farmers from Sapi and Fokar villages.
