AGRICULTURE

The Agriculture Department plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agricultural development in Jammu and Kashmir. Established with the primary objective of enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, the department operates under the broader framework of the Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir.

Bandipora, with its diverse agro-climatic conditions, offers significant potential for the cultivation of a variety of crops, including paddy, maize, pulses, and vegetables etc. The Agriculture Department is responsible for implementing government schemes, disseminating scientific knowledge, and providing necessary support services to farmers across the district.

Key functions of the department include:

• Extension services to educate farmers on modern farming techniques.
• Distribution of quality seeds.
• Promotion of organic farming and soil health management.
• Facilitation of government schemes such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, RKVY, HADP and CSS.
• Conducting field demonstrations, training programs, exposure visits and awareness camps.
• Encouraging integrated farming systems and sustainable agricultural practices.

The department works in close coordination with other allied sectors to ensure holistic development of the agriculture sector in the district. Through its continuous efforts, the Agriculture Department Bandipora aims to improve farmers’ income, ensure food security, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region.

Functions of Department

1. Farmer Training & Awareness
   • The department organizes seminars, training programs on bee‑keeping, mushroom cultivation, farm water management, etc. Outreach to promote new farming techniques and crops, especially under centrally sponsored or UT‑level schemes.
2. Soil Testing & Health
   • There is a District Soil Testing Laboratory (STL) in Bandipora, now equipped with advanced tools like Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) to test soil quality. Issuance of Soil Health Cards to farmers so they get recommendations on fertilizer, nutrients, etc.
3. Seed & Plant Material Supply
   • Use of seed multiplication farms (SMFs) in areas like Sumbal, Wataporato produce quality seed material for farmers.
4. Machinery and Infrastructure Assistance
   • Establishment of farm machinery banks and custom hiring centers so that farmers can access machinery (e.g. tractors) when needed.
5. Scheme Implementation & Campaigns
   • The Agriculture Department implements various central/UT schemes: e.g. Rabi &Kharif campaigns, National Bee‑Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), HADP etc
   • Also, welfare schemes: subsidies, incentives for farmers.
6. Regulation and Quality Control
   • Providing quality control of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) via labs associated with the department.
   • Ensuring that farmers’ input usage matches recommendations (e.g. from soil health cards) to prevent misuse.
7. Coordination & Monitoring
   • District level reviews by senior officers to assess progress of agriculture & allied sectors. Field visits, monitoring of crop status (for example Rabi crop scenario), inspections of farms, polyhouses etc.
8. Diversification & Allied Activities
   • Promoting allied/agri‑cottage industries: bee‑keeping, sericulture, mushroom cultivation. Encouraging vegetable cultivation clusters, controlled environment agriculture, etc

Organizational / Structural Context

• The Agriculture Department in J&K has been restructured: theAgriculture Production Department (APD) now includes formerly separate line departments: Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries, and Horticulture.
• The name sometimes appears as “Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department”, reflecting greater emphasis on farmer welfare.
• In Bandipora, the Chief Agriculture Officer is a key local functionary.

Challenges & Focus Areas

• Ensuring timely supply of quality inputs (seed, plant material, machinery) in remote/agricultural areas.
• Encouraging farmers to adopt scientific methods (soil testing, correct fertilizer use, pest management).
• Diversification to reduce risk (not depending on a single crop), especially with climate variability.
• Strengthening post‑harvest infrastructure, markets and value addition so farmers get better returns.

Exhibitions

Details of Schemes with brief discerptions

Mr. Javid Iqbal

Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora.