Bharat Priye holds Kissan Sammellan in Budgam, highlights agrarian distress in J&K

• Raises concerns over low returns, irrigation gaps and lack of market access; calls for urgent policy intervention

BUDGAM: Continuing his outreach to address the concerns of the farming community across Jammu & Kashmir, JKPCC Kissan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye on Sunday organized a Kissan Sammellan at Mazmah in Budgam district, drawing participation from a large number of local farmers and stakeholders.

The Sammellan served as an open platform for farmers to voice their grievances, many of which revolved around declining agricultural productivity, inadequate irrigation facilities, erratic weather patterns, and limited access to profitable markets. Farmers expressed concern over rising input costs, including fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, which have significantly reduced their margins and made farming increasingly unsustainable.

Addressing the gathering, Bharat Priye acknowledged the hardships faced by the agrarian community and stressed the urgent need for focused interventions to revive the sector. He pointed out that despite agriculture being the backbone of J&K’s rural economy, farmers continue to struggle due to lack of institutional support, modern infrastructure, and effective crop insurance mechanisms.

“Farmers in Jammu & Kashmir are grappling with multiple challenges—from unpredictable climatic conditions to absence of proper marketing channels. There is a pressing need to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits, strengthen irrigation networks, and provide timely financial assistance,” he said.

He further emphasized the importance of establishing cold storage facilities, improving transport connectivity, and creating better linkages between farmers and markets to prevent distress sales, particularly for horticulture produce which forms a significant part of the region’s economy.

During the interaction, several farmers highlighted issues related to inadequate power supply for irrigation, lack of awareness about government schemes, and delays in disbursement of subsidies. They also sought training in modern farming techniques and diversification into high-value crops to enhance income.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included District Kissan Congress President A.A. Mir and retired Zonal Education Officer Mir Abdullah, who also shared their views on the need for grassroots-level reforms and stronger policy implementation to uplift the farming community.

The Sammellan concluded with a collective call for sustained engagement between policymakers and farmers, ensuring that their voices are heard and their issues addressed in a time-bound manner to secure the future of agriculture in Jammu & Kashmir.