Omar asks J&K administration to utilise full agricultural potential

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked his administration to utilise the vast potential of agro-based activities in the state to give a considerable fillip to the state's economy and open up new employment avenues for the youth.

Abdullah said the prosperous future of the state is in the comprehensive development of agriculture and allied sectors.

"While our endeavours should be to achieve self sufficiency in foodgrain production, we should also stress on economic upliftment of the farmers comprising a large chunk of our population," the chief minister said, chairing the first meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, of which he is also the chairman.

He ordered that the suggestions and opinions provided by the board members during the meeting should be included in the overall development policy for agriculture and allied sectors.

"By the constitution of the Kissan board, we have provided a platform for subject specialists, agriculture scientists, administrative heads and farmers to develop a constant rapport, discuss issues, work out solutions to problems and come up with sound suggestions and proposals for the government to act for the upliftment of farmers," he said.