Kulgam hosts district workshop to promote sustainable agriculture

sameer
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19 Dec 2025

Kulgam, Dec 19: The Agriculture Production and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Kulgam, organised a second district-level sensitisation and educational workshop at the Town Hall, Block Devsar, under the Project and Knowledge Management component of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) 2025-26 of the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness and Agriculture and Allied Projects (JKCIP). MLA Devsar, Peerzada Feroz Ahmad Shah, presided over the workshop as the Chief Guest, and Additional District Development Commissioner, Altaf Ahmad Khan, participated as a Guest of Honour. Addressing the participants, including farmers, youth club members, and agri-entrepreneurs, he highlighted the pivotal role of youth in nation-building and environmental stewardship. He encouraged youth club members to act as ambassadors of change in their respective blocks, taking the lessons learned from the workshop back to their communities. The Additional District Development Commissioner, while speaking on the occasion, stressed the need for crop diversification of high-value crops, urging youth to move beyond traditional farming practices and adopt innovative, market-oriented agriculture. He also highlighted that JKCIP benefits are being extended in four blocks, including Devsar, Behibagh, Manzgam, and D. K. Marg, while farmers in other blocks can access support under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). At the outset, Chief Agriculture Officer Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad Reshi, highlighted the background of the programme and the importance of youth engagement in shaping a progressive farming society. He urged participants to utilise the training to positively influence their communities, promote constructive activities, and contribute to grassroots developmental initiatives, especially concerning environmental issues and climate change. Resource persons from KVK Kulgam and MRCFC Khudwani delivered technical sessions on youth mobilisation, community development, social awareness on environmental issues, climate change, and disaster management. The trainees were also briefed on opportunities available under different government schemes aimed at youth empowerment. Sub-divisional Agriculture Officers, Kulgam and Qaimoh; Agriculture Extension Officers; and other officials from the agriculture department also participated in the training programme.