MLA Rajouri Chairs Rural Credit Workshop under JKCIP 

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

RAJOURI SEPTEMBER 02:-A Rural Credit Workshop under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitive Improvement Project (JKCIP) was today organized by the Agriculture Production Department, Rajouri, in collaboration with SKUAST–Jammu at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rajouri.

The programme was attended by more than 100 farmers from four panchayats of Block Rajouri. The aim was to sensitize rural farmers—particularly youth and marginalized communities—about various schemes under JKCIP, with a special focus on credit facilities available to the farming community.

MLA Rajouri, Iftikhar Ahmed, presided over the workshop as Chief Guest. District heads of different wings of the Agriculture Production Department, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and banking officials also participated.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Arvind Kumar Ishar, Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Rajouri, and Dr. P.P. Sajotra, District Sheep Husbandry Officer & Nodal Officer JKCIP, briefed about the objectives of the programme. Dr. Vikas Sharma, Chief Scientist & Head, RARS Rajouri, delivered a detailed presentation on JKCIP and its components, urging farmers to actively engage with departments to avail themselves of benefits.

In his address, MLA Iftikhar Ahmed underlined the vital role of agriculture in sustaining the local economy.

“A majority of our population depends on agriculture for livelihood. With vast potential in agriculture and allied sectors, there is an urgent need to usher in a revolution in this field,” he said.

The MLA called upon officers to work with dedication for the socio-economic upliftment of farmers, who continue to suffer due to rainfed farming and low incomes. He stressed the importance of awareness campaigns to ensure even the most marginalized farmers access government schemes.

He also directed banking officials to streamline credit processes and make them more farmer-friendly, particularly by simplifying procedures for Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), which he termed a lifeline for small and poor farmers.

Resource persons from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, sheep husbandry, fisheries, sericulture, and banking sectors made detailed presentations on farmer welfare schemes.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Suraj Parkash, Chief Scientist, KVK Rajouri.

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