Jammu: In a bid to encourage farming activities, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to give cash awards to the farmers for their remarkable and outstanding works. The awards will be given at the district, block and state levels.

A panel headed by State Agriculture Minister Hassan Mir took the decision to give these awards. The panel also included Agriculture Department Principal Secretary Iqbal Khanday and Secretary Shafi Rather.
A panel headed by the Agriculture Director will select the list of best farmers for these awards from their respective provinces.

“The Agriculture Director has been asked to shortlist the nominees. Since the decision is taken for encouraging the farmers, prize money will also be given away,” the Agriculture Minister said.
There would be two state awards, two district awards for each district and two block level awards for each block.

“For State awards Rs 50,000 would be given to each, Rs 25,000 each would be given for district level and Rs 10,000 each for block level,” he added.

The state government has also decided to educate the farmers about organic farming. “Many farmers in the state are disillusioned with chemical-based agriculture. They need to turn to organic farming and the state government has decided to encourage the farmers to do so,” the Minister said.

The state government has come up with this decision as an act to encourage the rural farmers. Farmers from different provinces would be awarded keeping in mind the examples set by the Haryana and Punjab government.

“For pulling up the farming community, an award and prize money will be conferred. Following the example of Punjab and Haryana government, where the farming sector basks in the international limelight. Encouragement in the form of award would bring the talented farmers into light,” Agriculture Department Secretary Shafi Rather said.