JAMMU / NEW DELHI, Jun 20: In a significant initiative aimed at highlighting the concerns of the farming community in Jammu and Kashmir, JKPCC Kisan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye on saturday called on Akhilesh Shukla, Vice Chairman of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Kisan Congress, at the party headquarters located at 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi.
During the meeting, Bharat Priye apprised the senior national leader of the numerous challenges confronting farmers across Jammu and Kashmir and urged the AICC Kisan Congress leadership to strongly advocate for their concerns at the national level. He expressed hope that the party’s central leadership would effectively raise these issues before the appropriate authorities, enabling the farming community in the Union Territory to receive much-needed relief and support.
Bharat Priye highlighted that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the rural economy in Jammu and Kashmir, with a substantial population directly or indirectly dependent on farming, horticulture, dairy farming and allied sectors for their livelihood. However, he noted that farmers are grappling with multiple challenges that are adversely affecting their income, productivity and overall economic security.
He drew attention to the increasing cost of agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, farm machinery and diesel, which has significantly escalated cultivation expenses. Despite rising production costs, farmers often fail to receive remunerative prices for their produce, resulting in shrinking profit margins and financial distress.
The JKPCC Kisan Congress Chairman also emphasized the need for strengthening irrigation infrastructure across the Union Territory. He pointed out that many agricultural areas continue to depend heavily on erratic weather conditions due to inadequate irrigation facilities. He stressed that modern irrigation systems, water conservation measures and timely maintenance of canals are essential for ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
Bharat Priye further raised concerns regarding the recurring losses suffered by farmers due to unpredictable weather patterns, unseasonal rains, hailstorms, floods and prolonged dry spells. He advocated for a comprehensive crop insurance mechanism that adequately compensates farmers for losses caused by natural calamities and climate-related disruptions.
The meeting also focused on the plight of horticulturists, particularly apple growers and fruit producers, who face challenges related to transportation, storage, grading, packaging and market access. Priye stressed the need for expanding cold storage infrastructure and establishing modern post-harvest facilities to reduce losses and enhance farmers’ earnings.
Expressing concern over rural indebtedness, he said many small and marginal farmers are burdened by loans and financial liabilities due to declining agricultural returns. He called for easier access to institutional credit, low-interest agricultural loans and special financial assistance packages for distressed farming families.
Bharat Priye also underlined the importance of strengthening procurement mechanisms and ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce. He emphasized that farmers should receive adequate support through effective Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies and improved market linkages to safeguard them from exploitation by middlemen.
The issue of youth engagement in agriculture was also discussed during the meeting. Priye stressed that attractive incentives, modern technology, skill development programmes and agribusiness opportunities are required to encourage young people to take up farming and related activities as viable career options.
He further advocated for greater investment in agricultural research, farmer training programmes, soil health management and the promotion of organic and sustainable farming practices. According to him, empowering farmers with scientific knowledge and modern techniques can significantly improve productivity and income levels.
Akhilesh Shukla patiently heard the concerns raised by Bharat Priye and assured him that the issues affecting the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir would receive due attention from the AICC Kisan Congress. He reiterated the party’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests and strengthening the agricultural sector across the country.
Speaking after the meeting, Bharat Priye expressed confidence that the intervention of the national leadership would help bring the problems of Jammu and Kashmir’s farmers into sharper focus at the national level. He said that the farming community has high expectations from policymakers and deserves timely support to overcome the challenges confronting the agricultural sector.
He reiterated that the Congress party remains committed to championing the cause of farmers and ensuring that their voices are heard. He added that sustained efforts would continue to secure policies and programmes that promote agricultural prosperity, rural development and economic stability for farming families across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting is being viewed as an important step towards amplifying the concerns of farmers from Jammu and Kashmir and seeking meaningful solutions to improve their socio-economic condition and overall well-being.