UDHAMPUR, AUGUST 21: To promote self-reliance in pulse production and strengthen pulse cultivation in the district, the maiden meeting of the District Steering Committee on Pulses was convened Friday under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa.
The meeting, as per an official statement, marked the operational launch of the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses in the district under the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with active participation of all members of the Steering Committee concerned.
During the meeting, the Chief Agriculture Officer presented a detailed status report on pulse production, yield per hectare and existing productivity levels across the district. The report highlighted significant yield gaps among various agricultural blocks.
The Steering Committee held detailed discussions on the proposed Annual Action Plan under the mission, with emphasis on aligning resources and interventions to systematically bridge the identified production gaps in the coming seasons.
While reviewing the block-wise data, the DDC observed considerable variations in pulse productivity across Udhampur district. He stressed the need to address these geographical disparities to achieve the objectives of the mission and directed the Agriculture Department to accord priority to low-productivity villages.
The chair further advised the department to identify low-productivity clusters as “test villages” or “model villages” for intensive implementation of technological and scientific agricultural interventions under the mission.
To ensure a robust and data-driven approach to planning and resource allocation, the DDC directed the Agriculture Department to conduct a comprehensive census of farmers engaged in pulse cultivation across the district. The database will capture details of cultivated area, existing farming practices and specific requirements of farmers. He directed that the completed database be submitted to his office on priority.
Emphasising the importance of scientific and soil-based farming practices, the DDC highlighted the crucial role of the Soil Health Card Scheme in improving agricultural productivity. He directed the Agriculture Department to closely monitor key soil nutrient parameters across all blocks and ensure balanced use of fertilisers and appropriate soil management practices in pulse cultivation to enhance productivity per hectare.
Among those present were Chief Planning Officer Uttam Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Area Development Officer (Vegetables), Assistant Soil Chemist, Subject Matter Specialist (DL) Udhampur, Lead Bank Officer Udhampur, District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD and a local progressive farmer, among others.
