Srinagar, April 10: In a significant political outreach aimed at highlighting the concerns of the farming community in Jammu and Kashmir, JKPCC Kissan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye today called on veteran Congress leader and permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee Digvijaya Singh during his visit to Kashmir.During the interaction, Bharat Priye apprised Digvijaya Singh of the pressing issues confronting farmers across the Union Territory, urging him to take up these concerns at the highest levels within the party and ensure that they receive due national attention.
Bharat Priye raised a wide range of issues affecting the agrarian sector in J&K, including declining farm incomes, inadequate Minimum Support Price (MSP) coverage, rising input costs, erratic weather patterns, and limited access to modern agricultural infrastructure. He also emphasized the challenges faced by orchardists and small-scale farmers, particularly in terms of market access, transportation, and post-harvest losses.He stressed that farmers in the region are grappling with unique geographical and logistical constraints, which necessitate tailored policy interventions and sustained governmental support.
Seeking urgent redressal, Bharat Priye urged Digvijaya Singh to advocate for comprehensive policy measures aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in J&K. These include better implementation of central schemes, expansion of crop insurance coverage, financial assistance to distressed farmers, and enhanced support for horticulture, which forms the backbone of the region’s rural economy.He also called for special focus on youth engagement in agriculture, noting that lack of incentives and opportunities is pushing younger generations away from farming.
Digvijaya Singh, while listening attentively to the concerns raised, assured that the issues highlighted would be taken up within the party forum and raised at appropriate platforms. He acknowledged the importance of addressing the challenges faced by farmers in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized the need for inclusive and region-specific agricultural policies.
The meeting underscored the urgent need for sustained attention towards the agrarian sector in J&K, which continues to face structural challenges despite its vital contribution to the local economy. Experts have long emphasized that strengthening rural livelihoods and ensuring farmers’ welfare is key to overall socio-economic stability in the region.
Bharat Priye reiterated that consistent engagement with senior leadership and policymakers is essential to bring the issues of J&K farmers into the national discourse and secure meaningful solutions.The interaction concluded with a shared commitment to amplify the voices of farmers and work towards policies that ensure their economic security and long-term sustainability.