DRASS: More than 1,000 farmers in Drass district received the benefits of the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on Sunday as the Department of Agriculture organised PM Kisan Utsav Diwas alongside an extensive awareness programme on organic and natural farming practices.
Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imteeaz Kacho, attended the event at the Tourist Dak Bungalow Conference Hall, where farmers witnessed the transfer of PM-KISAN assistance to 1,004 eligible beneficiaries from the district. The programme was held in conjunction with the nationwide release of the latest PM-KISAN instalment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from West Bengal.
The event drew more than 60 farmers and was attended by LAHDC-Kargil Councillors Abdul Samad and Abdul Wahid, Chief Agriculture Officer Kargil Ashiq Hussain Basharat and other senior agriculture officials.
Addressing farmers, the Deputy Commissioner urged greater adoption of organic cultivation, encouraging growers to increase production of organic vegetables for both household consumption and market sales. He stressed that organic produce could help farmers secure better returns while strengthening sustainable agriculture in the region.
Kacho also called upon farmers to take full advantage of departmental initiatives, including the Ladakh Greenhouse Scheme, and highlighted the long-term need for establishing a dedicated warehouse and agricultural market facility in Drass to support the sale and storage of farm and horticultural produce.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner distributed PGS Organic Scope Certificates to villages including Goshan, Muradbagh, Trongjan, Drass, Ranbirpora and Bhimbat, recognising their progress in organic farming practices.
Earlier, under the ongoing Khet Bachao Abhiyan, agriculture officers conducted training sessions on balanced fertiliser use, vermicomposting, natural farming methods and preparation of organic inputs such as Jeevamrit and Ghan Jeevamrit. Farmers also raised grievances and suggestions, with several issues addressed on the spot while others were taken up for further action.
