JAMMU, Jun 9: In a strong push for safeguarding the interests of the farming community, Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Kissan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye on Tuesday submitted a detailed memorandum to the Additional Commissioner in the office of the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, highlighting the pressing challenges confronting farmers across the Union Territory and seeking immediate government intervention.
The memorandum, submitted on behalf of JKPCC Kissan Congress and the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, outlined a comprehensive 18-point charter of demands aimed at addressing the growing economic distress faced by farmers due to rising cultivation costs, shrinking landholdings, erratic weather patterns, inadequate institutional support and market uncertainties.
Speaking on the occasion, Bharat Priye said that agriculture continues to be the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s rural economy and the primary source of livelihood for a vast section of the population. However, mounting input costs and recurring climatic challenges have pushed farmers into a cycle of financial hardship, necessitating urgent and decisive action from the administration.
Among the key demands raised was the complete waiver of electricity tariffs on agricultural irrigation pumps and tube wells to reduce farming costs and enhance agricultural productivity. The Kissan Congress also called for strict monitoring of seed quality and stringent action against those involved in the sale of fake or substandard seeds, pesticides and fertilizers that often result in heavy losses for farmers.Expressing concern over recurring fertilizer shortages during crop seasons, the memorandum urged the administration to ensure uninterrupted availability of urea, DAP and other essential fertilizers through government outlets and cooperative societies.
The Kissan Congress further demanded the introduction of a subsidized diesel scheme for farmers to offset the rising costs of ploughing, irrigation, sowing and harvesting operations. Special emphasis was also laid on the plight of border farmers residing along the International Border and the Line of Control. The memorandum sought compensation at four times the prevailing market rate for land rendered inaccessible due to border fencing and security restrictions, along with special relief packages for those affected by cross-border shelling.
Highlighting the increasing vulnerability of agriculture to climate-related disasters, Bharat Priye called for a comprehensive and farmer-friendly crop insurance mechanism that ensures timely assessment and direct compensation for losses caused by floods, droughts, hailstorms, pest attacks and unseasonal rainfall.
The memorandum also stressed the need for a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime and establishment of effective procurement centres across Jammu and Kashmir to protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen and ensure fair returns for their produce.To address the growing debt burden on the farming community, JKPCC Kissan Congress sought a comprehensive debt-relief package, including waiver of interest on crop loans and restructuring of outstanding agricultural debts.
The organization also urged the administration to strengthen irrigation infrastructure through repair, desilting and modernization of canals and water channels, many of which are presently in a dilapidated condition. It further demanded a dedicated compensation mechanism for crop losses caused by wild animals such as wild boars, monkeys and porcupines, which have emerged as a major threat to agricultural production in several districts.
Other significant demands included expansion of social security coverage for agricultural labourers and marginal farmers, strengthening cold storage and warehousing infrastructure, promotion of horticulture and high-value crops, timely release of PM-KISAN benefits, establishment of Farmer Facilitation Centres in every tehsil, introduction of a special climate-resilience package and prompt compensation for acquisition of agricultural land for public projects.The memorandum also called for revitalization of agricultural cooperative societies to improve farmers’ access to affordable credit, quality farm inputs and modern agricultural machinery.
Bharat Priye emphasized that the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir has been making invaluable contributions to food security and rural development despite numerous challenges. He urged the administration to consider the demands sympathetically and initiate prompt action to strengthen rural livelihoods, ensure agricultural sustainability and restore confidence among farmers.The Kissan Congress expressed hope that the administration would take immediate cognizance of the issues raised and formulate a comprehensive roadmap to address the concerns of farmers, who continue to remain the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy.