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GANDERBAL: Continuing his sustained outreach programme across Jammu and Kashmir, JKPCC Kissan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye today organised a farmers’ meeting at Abdullah Park, Ganderbal, aimed at directly engaging with the farming community and understanding their concerns at the grassroots level.The meeting witnessed participation from a large number of local farmers, orchardists, and agri-workers who shared their grievances and highlighted the multiple challenges confronting the agriculture sector in the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering, Bharat Priye expressed serious concern over the growing distress among farmers and assured them that their genuine issues would be strongly projected before the concerned authorities for timely redressal. He emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of J&K’s economy and neglecting this sector would have far-reaching consequences on livelihoods and rural stability.
During the interaction, farmers raised several pressing issues, including irregular power supply affecting irrigation, rising input costs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and lack of adequate Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanisms for local produce. Orchardists particularly highlighted concerns regarding fluctuating market prices, lack of cold storage facilities, and inadequate transportation infrastructure, which often results in heavy post-harvest losses.
Another major concern discussed was the impact of unpredictable weather patterns on crop yield. Farmers noted that untimely rains, hailstorms, and prolonged dry spells have increasingly disrupted traditional cropping cycles, leading to reduced productivity and financial insecurity. They stressed the urgent need for crop insurance schemes that are both accessible and farmer-friendly.The issue of unemployment among rural youth was also raised, with participants urging the government to create more agriculture-based employment opportunities and promote allied sectors such as dairy, poultry, and horticulture.
Bharat Priye also pointed out the need for strengthening extension services and ensuring that farmers receive proper technical guidance, modern farming techniques, and access to government schemes. He stressed that awareness gaps often prevent farmers from availing benefits meant for them.Criticizing what he termed as policy gaps and inadequate implementation at the ground level, he said that farmers are often left struggling due to bureaucratic delays and lack of coordination among departments. He called for a more responsive and farmer-centric approach in governance.
Reaffirming his commitment, Bharat Priye assured the gathering that he would compile all the issues raised during the meeting and take them up with the relevant departments and policymakers. He urged farmers to remain united and proactive in voicing their concerns.The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to continue such engagements in different parts of the Union Territory to ensure that the voices of farmers are heard and addressed effectively.
