EC Mohsin Ali calls on Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary

KARGIL, JULY 05, 2021: Executive Councilor for Agriculture called on the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary at Leh today.

During the meeting, the EC discussed with the Minister various issues pertaining to Agriculture, Horticulture and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil.

EC Mohsin on the occasion submitted a memorandum which included demand for establishment of National Research Centre and  Gamma Radiation Centre in Kargil to avail the processing and production of stone fruits, particularly of apricot so that the needful research on Germ Plasm Conservation, drying, packaging and value addition of fruit products and production can be done, special package for installation of deep bore well with solar operated panel and micro-irrigation for exploration of ground water and efficient utilization of water respectively in more than 50 drought affected villages, establishment of  ICAR controlled Centre of Excellence for Apricot, Black Berry and Russian Olives.

The EC Agriculture informed the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare that Kargil is the leading producer of apricot with 32 registered varieties.

Other demands projected by the EC Agriculture included  establishment of a multidisciplinary independent Agriculture College and Research Institute where besides generating agro climate specific technologies, capacity building of youths and other stakeholders for various cold arid climate crops can be taken care of, creation of proper marketing channels at Kargil, so that the quality vegetables can be  sold at better prices in far off markets of mainland India, as Kargil climate favours the production of quality exotic organic vegetables, creation of 2 agriculture sub divisions in Kargil on top priority to implement  different schemes of Agriculture department, sanction of assured career progression in favour of the gazetted staff of Agriculture, Horticulture and Command Area Development Department Kargil district at par with Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, as the case has already approved by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The EC also projected demand for creation of a facility centre for basic agriculture training at Kargil, waiving off 100% KCC loans from the farmers of Kargil and enhancement of subsidy under different CSS schemes up to 90%.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary Kailash Choudhary assured the EC Agriculture that all possible help will be provided for fulfilment of the projected demands in a phase wise manner.