National Seed Corporation for the first time, is establishing seed processing plant in the state for the benefit of the farming community. “The setting up of the unit is aimed at augmenting quality seed supply to the farmers which shall be readily available to them in adequate quantity and at the right time”, read the handout.
The proposed unit is a welfare step of government of India and state government for the benefit of farming community. The establishment of this unit at Kathua, the farmers of the state will get a big relief as the state agriculture department is presently procuring the processed seed from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
To finalise the draft memorandum of understanding for establishing seed processing and storage unit in the state at Taraf Manjali Kathua, Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Chaired a meeting of senior officers of agriculture, revenue departments and representatives of National Seed Corporation of India Ltd (NSCI). Beigh said the tentative cost of seed processing unit including storage facility is Rs. 8 crore which shall be borne entirely by National Seed Corporation of India Limited, the handout added.
Beigh said seed is the most vital and crucial input for crop production and a high quality seed can boost productivity and production and in turn increase the income of the farmers. “Establishing our own seed processing unit will ultimately help in doubling the income of farmers of J&K state in the years to come”, he maintained.
During the meeting the secretary agriculture issued instructions to speed up the process for establishment of seed processing unit in J&K for which the Government has already transferred 16 kanals of land to agriculture department.
