Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government is contemplating measures like crop insurance for farmers to boost agriculture sector as part of its plans to make the state self sufficient in foodgrains, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said.
"I have discussed it with my colleagues, including the State Finance Minister. We need schemes which will cover up the losses suffered by farmers while switching over to modern
farming techniques," Omar said addressing a gathering of progressive farmers here.
"I am hopeful that the government will be able to work out something along these lines to give a boost to the agriculture and allied sectors," he said.
"Right now the state government is importing almost everything from outside. We cannot realise the dream of Khushaal (prosperous) and Khudmukhtaar (self reliant) Jammu
and Kashmir till we increase the productivity," he said.
Omar said the state's finances were in a bad shape and agriculture was one of the sectors that can bail it out.
"Our total annual revenue from all sources is Rs 3,200 crore but the salary bill for employees is to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore. We are losing Rs 1,500 crore annually on power as well," he said.
There is enormous pressure on agriculture land in Kashmir as vast stretches have been turned into concrete, he said.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 15:10