Shailendra Kumar chairs pre-Budget review meeting for agriculture, horticulture

Jammu, Nov 27: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) , Agriculture Production Department (APD), Shailendra Kumar chaired a Pre-Budget meeting to review and discuss the Revised Estimates (RE) 2025-26 and Budget Estimates (BE) 2026-27 for the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors of Jammu & Kashmir.

The meeting focused on a detailed review of expenditure and proposed allocations under CAPEX, HADP, SASCI, CSS and NABARD, said an official press release.

Present in the meeting were Secretary in APD, Director Finance APD,, Director (Planning) APD, Managing Director JKAGROS; Secretary Kisan Advisory Board; Director Agriculture, Director Horticulture, Director CAD Jammu; Director Sericulture; representatives of SKUAST-J & SKUAST-K; Joint Directors of Agriculture and allied sectors; Deputy Director Agriculture (Planning); Chief Agriculture and Horticulture Officers of Jammu Division, scientists and senior officers of the department while officers from the Kashmir Division participated virtually.

During the meeting, the ACS emphasiSed that special attention is being given to ensure expenditure under HADP, CSS and CAPEX aligns with long-term infrastructure development goals of the agriculture and horticulture sectors. He conducted an extensive review of CSS components under Krishonnati Yojana, highlighting flagship schemes including PMKSY, PDMC, SMAM, RAD, RKVY, PKVY, ATMA, NFSM, and others aimed at promoting rural prosperity and farm sustainability.

He issued clear instructions to all the departments under the APD to integrate awareness on stray animal management during every extension activity, noting that this is also in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court. He stressed that stray animals must not be seen within office premises and directed that Nodal Officers be appointed in each department to monitor and manage stray animal–related responsibilities.

Reviewing the PDMC component, he stressed strengthening of the micro-irrigation initiatives. He directed the officers to enhance farmer awareness regarding micro-irrigation facilities and associated subsidies. He added that the greatest benefits must reach the farmers who have adequate water availability for irrigation expansion.

He further instructed that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be circulated to all departments, ensuring that no work is executed outside approved project guidelines. He directed all the departments to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) and ensure financial achievements are reported within one month.

ACS also reviewed the progress on JKCIP, discussed existing bottlenecks and directed that year-wise targets be communicated to all Chief Officers for effective and timely implementation. The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated efforts across all wings of the Agriculture Production Department to ensure efficient budgeting, timely project execution and strengthened farmer-centric service delivery.