SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 09 (KNS): To review the physical and financial progress on the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes (CSSs) and capex budget (Scheme wise/district wise), the Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal today chaired a meeting of officers at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi, here.

Addressing the meeting, the Director highlighted the importance of effective and timely utilization of funds for the welfare and wellbeing of the farming community of the region. He asked the officers to maintain accountability and transparency during all the levels of expenditures and submit the utilization certificate immediately on all the schemes.

 While talking about the different initiatives by the department, the Director impressed upon the officers to put in all the efforts for the successful implementation of farmers friendly schemes. He asked the officers to evolve new concepts and innovations by adopting new cropping systems in the potential areas so that the productivity could be enhanced.

Iqbal asked the officers to reach out to the farmers of the far flung areas and make them aware about the latest farmers centric technology related to the development of the Agriculture sector. He marked the role of Panchayat Raj institutions and asked the officers to work in close coordination with the representatives of PRI’s, block development councils and district development councils so that different Centrally sponsored schemes(CSS) and flagship programmes could reach the grass roots level in a more effective manner and contribute to the transformation of rural economy.

Earlier, the Director was apprised of the expenditures and progress on the implementation of different centrally sponsored schemes.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director Agriculture extension, Joint Director Farms, Joint Director Apiculture & Mushroom, Joint Director Rakhs and Farms concerned Chief Agriculture Officer’s sectoral heads and other senior officers of the department.(KNS)