REASI: Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nidhi Malik today reviewed the performance and achievements of the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments in the district in two separate meetings. The Deputy Commissioner took a detailed appraisal of the Agriculture sector Central Schemes and flagship programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of farmers. The review covered Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, Soil Health Card Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, besides Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP)- a UT government initiative to improve competitiveness in the agriculture and allied sectors.
The concerned functionaries informed that 2704.37 quintals of High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds and 932.65 metric ton fertilizer have been distributed among farmers across the district.
“Under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana, an annual income support of ₹6,000 is provided in three equal installments to all eligible landholding families. So far, ₹133.60 crore has been disbursed under the scheme. Under the KCC Scheme, a total of ₹134.32 crore has been disbursed to the farmers of the district,” the meeting was told.
Regarding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the meeting was informed that an amount of ₹2.24 lakh was disbursed for the Rabi crop during 2024–25, while this year, 7068 farmers have been registered and the claim disbursement process is underway.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the progress of beekeeping activities in the district. It was informed that 1845 bee colonies have been established, producing 42 quintals of honey, generating an income of ₹16.80 lakh. The district currently has 100 active beekeepers, of which 18 are registered on the Madhukranti Portal.
Reviewing the JKCIP implementation, the meeting was told that out of 89 applications received, 41 were approved and 15 rejected, while 5 are under scrutiny and 28 have been placed before the District Level Committee (DLC).
Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Malik emphasized the need to further strengthen outreach programmes and awareness campaigns to ensure that more farmers avail the benefits of government schemes. She directed the officers to ensure timely distribution of seeds, fertilizers and insurance benefits to enhance agricultural productivity and farmers’ income. Later, the Deputy Commissioner chaired a detailed review meeting of the Animal Husbandry Department to assess its progress and performance.
She stressed on conducting regular vaccination drives, holding awareness camps and prompt disease reporting to safeguard livestock health. The Chief Animal Husbandry Officer briefed the DC about ongoing departmental initiatives, livestock population statistics, artificial insemination coverage, fodder development and extension activities being carried out across the district. The meetings were attended by CAO Vinod Kumar Kundal, CAHO Dr. R.K. Kaith and other concerned officers.