Tarigami expresses concern over negligence of horticulture and agriculture sector and demands introduction of Crop Insurance Scheme in the state
(Mr. Mohammed Yusuf Rather, 59, was born in Tarigam village in Kulgam area of Anantnag district. He usually goes by the name Yusuf Tarigami. He is a two-time member of the J&K Legislative Assembly, and was elected from Kulgam in 1996. Mr. Tarigami is the secretary of the J&K branch of the Communist Party-Marxist, and a member of its national Central Committee.)
Srinagar: Expressing deep concern over the negligence of agriculture and horticulture sector by the successive governments and plunging it into ever greater crises, State Secretary CPI (M) and MLA, Kulgam M. Y Tarigami has said that lack of modern infrastructure and updated technical know how has rendered this core sector as most primitive thereby adding to the miseries of ruralites and those involved in it.
Mr. Tarigami while addressing a public rally at Shopian said that continuing neglect of agriculture and horticulture sector would be a costly folly which could plunge the entire state into deep economic crisis and social unrest. He said that despite tall claims by the government the agriculture and horticulture production remains stagnant. “We are yet to achieve self sufficiency in food grains, vegetables, fish, meat, milk and other commodities and even the horticulture produce is dwindling day by day,” Tarigami exclaimed and said that world famous apple, almond, walnut, Ladakhi apricot and even saffron crop do not with stand world market competitiveness for the incentives and technological aid is not provided to the growers and their interests not safeguarded.
Tarigami urged upon the government to introduce special Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) for all types of crops, provide quality seeds, pesticides and fertilizers to farmers, rural infrastructure and incentives to marginal fruit growers, introduce Marketing Information System (MIS), promotion of horticulture, floriculture, pesiculture, epiculture and storage and transport facilities for the export of Kashmiri fruit. He said that due to intermittent calamities horticulture and agriculture produce gets damaged that makes the farmers and orchardists worrisome. He said that to save the farming community from the adversities of natural calamity introduction of CIS was inevitable.
Addressing the rally senior CPI (M) leader G. N. Malik and Ab. Khaliq Rather said that successive regimes in the state have been making tall claims to put an end to the rampant corruption in the state, but the graph of this curse has been rising instead of showing any decline. Today, it has assumed the proportions of an epidemic, which is contributing to the chaos afflicting the state today. They demanded that the Accountability Commission should be given free hand in dealing with the subject without any political intervention.
Youth leader Mohammad Abdullah Wani, while addressing the rally highlighted the problems facing the youth and demanded unemployment allowance for educated youth till they are provided suitable jobs. He dwelt upon the bankrupt policies of successive governments in the state and the centre, which had generated joblessness and desperation among the youth forcing them to resort to violence.