Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo convened a high-level meeting on Monday to meticulously assess the progress and implementation of the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) across the Union Territory. The project, overseen by the Agriculture Production Department, aims to revolutionize the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
The crucial review session saw the participation of key stakeholders, including Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; the Vice-Chancellors of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu); Secretary (Technical), APD; Mission Director, JKCIP; Managing Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing; Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry; the Convenor of the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Local Bodies (LB) Committee; and other senior departmental officials. As per information available with Tahir Rihat, the Chief Secretary underscored the paramount importance of the agriculture sector to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, highlighting that the JKCIP was conceived as a transformative initiative designed to significantly boost farmers’ incomes. This is to be achieved through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, the promotion of high-value niche crops, enhanced value addition processes, robust entrepreneurship development, seamless market integration, and the generation of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The project has successfully established a strong institutional framework dedicated to modernizing the agriculture and allied sectors. During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized the imperative for implementing agencies to pivot their focus from mere approvals to the achievement of concrete, tangible outcomes. This shift, he stated, necessitates ensuring the timely establishment of beneficiary units and demonstrating measurable improvements in the livelihoods of rural populations. To foster greater inclusivity and participation, particularly among women and the youth, Mr. Dulloo issued directives to the Agriculture Production Department. He specifically instructed the department to actively engage with women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Rural Development Department and to leverage the Mission YUVA database to effectively connect with and support aspiring young entrepreneurs throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Secretary articulated that a strategic convergence with these flagship initiatives would substantially broaden the program’s reach and ensure a more comprehensive inclusion of eligible beneficiaries.
Furthermore, Chief Secretary Dulloo mandated the Deputy Commissioners to implement a structured, roster-based mechanism for regular field inspections. These inspections, to be conducted by designated officers, are intended to rigorously assess the quality of project implementation, verify the operational status of beneficiary units established under JKCIP, and gather direct feedback from the beneficiaries themselves. The objective of these field visits is also to pinpoint any bottlenecks hindering implementation and to facilitate the prompt resolution of issues encountered by beneficiaries. He reiterated the need to accelerate the establishment of sanctioned units, reinforce field-level supervision, and guarantee that approved beneficiaries receive all requisite support for the timely realization of their entrepreneurial ventures.
Speaking at the review, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, reported a remarkable surge in farmer participation within the JKCIP since the last review, attributing this growth to an increasing level of confidence in the program’s efficacy. While expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved, Dr. Verma acknowledged that considerable scope for further enhancement remains. He urged all implementing agencies to intensify their awareness campaigns, strengthen their grassroots outreach efforts, and ensure that every eligible farmer, youth, and aspiring agri-entrepreneur has the opportunity to benefit from the project through proactive facilitation and effective last-mile delivery mechanisms. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this emphasis on outreach and facilitation is crucial for maximizing the project’s impact.
Presenting a detailed progress report, Mission Director of JKCIP, Dr. Sagar Doifode Dattatray, shared encouraging statistics. The number of registered farmers has climbed to 60,283, representing a substantial increase of nearly 189 percent compared to the previous reporting period. Applications received under various project interventions have reached a total of 67,579. Of these, 43,168 applications have been approved, and a significant milestone has been reached with the establishment of 7,501 beneficiary units across Jammu and Kashmir. The successful establishment of these units signifies tangible progress in empowering local farmers and entrepreneurs and is a testament to the project’s ongoing efforts to foster economic growth in the region.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.