Addressing a Kisan Mela, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that the ‘Agriculture First’ Policy will ensure Developed India and Aatma-Nirbhar Jammu Kashmir.
He emphasised that agriculture and allied sectors are the ultimate insurance policy that no developing society or nation can afford to ignore.
There is no doubt about the fact that agriculture and its allied sectors are must to keep the economy moving.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always reiterated that he wants to see one Indian dish in every plate across the world. He has always maintained that the farmers are the soul of the nation. His vision of seeing at least one Indian dish on every plate across the world captures both pride in India’s agricultural diversity and ambition for global outreach. Promoting value addition, food processing, branding, and export-oriented farming can transform this vision into reality. For Jammu and Kashmir, with its niche and high-value crops, the potential to carve out a distinctive global presence is immense.
The concept of AI- powered advanced agriculture is picking up. The technology tools that can predict output using weather, soil, and crop data have to become affordable and accessible. It will help the farmers to plan their crops strategically. In the changing times technology and agriculture development must go hand in hand.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the importance of agriculture is even more pronounced. A significant portion of the population depends directly or indirectly on farming, horticulture, livestock, and allied activities.
From the apple orchards of Kashmir to the basmati fields of Jammu, the sector sustains livelihoods, fuels rural demand, and anchors social stability.
The government support through subsidies, digital literacy programmes, farmer training camps, and cooperative models can bridge the gap. Agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and start-ups must work together to simplify technology and deliver it in local languages and user-friendly formats.
An “Agriculture First” policy, therefore, is not about returning to the past but about reimagining the future. It is about empowering farmers with knowledge, technology, and market access. It is about ensuring that rural prosperity becomes the engine of national growth. If implemented with commitment and innovation, this approach can truly pave the way for Aatma-Nirbhar Jammu & Kashmir and a Developed India — rooted in its soil, strengthened by its farmers, and propelled by technology. |
