MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Sardar Mir Akbar on Tuesday exhorted people to reconnect themselves with their land to make a good living from organic vegetable and crop farming.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a one-day exhibition of agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, crops and value-added goods, grown and produced by private farmers in the three districts of Muzaffarabad division with the technical assistance of the AJK agriculture department.

Apart from the farmers’ stalls showcasing their products, different wings of the Agriculture Department, Extension Services Management Academy and some private seed and pesticide companies had also displayed their products and services for promotion of farming.

The minister, who himself grows different crops in his holdings in Bagh district, pointed out that the only solution to control the high prices of food items was engagement with agriculture.

Pointing out that since climate change had been affecting cultivation patterns and subsequently reducing crop yield, the minister directed the department to educate and enlighten small and large scale farmers on methods to mitigate its adverse impact.

Mr Akbar maintained that he was heartened to attend the exhibition as it had given him confidence that while AJK had good potential for vegetable farming, the agriculture department staff was also doing a great job, notwithstanding scant budgetary allocations, to support the farmers.

The minister went round the exhibition and interacted with farmers and field staff of the agriculture department.

He appreciated the production of value added goods, such as jam, jellies, ketchup, juices as well as honey.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2022