SRINAGAR, AUGUST 04: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the Kisan Unnati Sammelan at the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST Kashmir today and inaugurated 500 Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lt Governor highlighted the significance of this milestone in J&K’s journey under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program. He emphasized that these Kisan Khidmat Ghars will serve as one-stop service hubs, offering comprehensive support from input supply to marketing and technological assistance to farmers.
Addressing the welfare of the farmers, the Lt Governor announced that 1500 additional KKGs will be established in the second phase, with work expected to be completed by the end of this year. “At the heart of this initiative is our commitment to empower 13 lakh farmer families, including nearly 3 lakh vulnerable and marginal farmers,” he said.
Equipped with modern IT systems, the KKGs will ensure efficient delivery of critical services such as input booking, soil health monitoring, plant diagnostics, market intelligence, and capacity building. These centers will also provide access to custom hiring services, Artificial Insemination, horticulture, and institutional data, ensuring farmers receive necessary and timely services.
During the event, the Lt Governor launched the Kisan Khidmat Ghar mobile application, designed to provide comprehensive support to farmers. This app will enhance accessibility to information and services, leading to better decision-making and higher productivity. Farmers can use the app for credit support, crop price forecasting, decision support, applying for government schemes, booking expert consultations, locating dealers, and accessing skilling courses, farming calendars, and guides.
“Our vision is to build a smart, technology-driven, and inclusive agricultural extension system that will transform the lives of farmers in Jammu Kashmir,” said the Lt Governor. He added that by integrating IoT, AI, and real-time data analytics, they aim to revolutionize agricultural extension services.
The Lt Governor commended the contributions of the HADP Apex Committee, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics, Agriculture and other stakeholder departments in implementing the Kisan Khidmat Ghar initiative.
At the event, the Lt Governor granted sanction letters worth Rs 48 crore to 764 beneficiaries across the UT under HADP. He also visited stalls put up by Agri-entrepreneurs and farmers, inaugurated the Office of Mission Directorate of HADP and JKCIP, and released the Handbook on HADP and Guidelines on Agriculture Credits.
Prominent attendees included Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Mangala Rai, former DG, ICAR and Chairman, Apex Committee for Holistic Development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors J&K; Dr. Ashok Dalwai, Member Apex Committee; and S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Additionally, senior officials, faculty members of SKUAST, entrepreneurs, and progressive farmers participated, with agri-entrepreneurs associated with the Kisan Khidmat Ghars joining virtually.
