Achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural production: Azad

Jammu, Mar 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has called upon scientists to shift focus from lab to land in order to achieve self-sufficiency in the agricultural production of the state within the next five years.

''Diversification in cultivation is necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in the agriculture production of the state within the next five years, he said while addressing the inaugural function of three-day north zone regional agriculture fair here today.

Mr Azad said ''our scientific community and farmers have to work together to make the state self-reliant in food grains, vegetables, mutton, poultry, honey, dairy and other such products besides exporting commodities to other states of the country.'' The Chief Minister said ''this is a challenge for the scientists, policy planners and executing agencies to rise to the occasion and achieve the objective.

Expressing concern on imports of mutton, poultry and food grains from Rajasthan to the extent of 70 per cent to meet its requirements, he said ''time has come to redouble our efforts and take a quantum leap towards self-sufficiency in all fields.

Lauding Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, he said ''we should take a cue from these states that have come up as granaries of the country meeting most of its food grain requirements.'' The Chief Minister emphasised a need to go down to the micro level by undertaking region and area-wise crop specific research to develop hybrid seeds, appropriate technology and inputs to increase productivity. ''Agriculture research has to be taken to the doorsteps of the farmers and involve them in diversification of agriculture and allied sectors'', he added.

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