Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, during a high-level meeting with civil and security officials, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to encourage farmers to cultivate land situated between the security fence and the International Border (IB). The meeting included top officials from the Agriculture Production Department (APD), Home Department, BSF, and district administrations of Kathua, Jammu, Samba, Poonch, and Rajouri.
Dulloo stressed that all arable land between the IB and the fence should be brought under cultivation, regardless of land ownership status, to enhance the local food supply. He said that the Agriculture Department should extend full support to farmers, while security forces must provide safety assurances to instill confidence in them.
The Chief Secretary urged officials to offer technical guidance on suitable crops and fodder and ensure all assistance is in place so that cultivation can begin from the next sowing season. He directed senior Agriculture officers to visit the concerned districts and resolve issues on-site in collaboration with the local administration and border security forces.
Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, reiterated the department’s commitment to provide handholding support to farmers. He asked Deputy Commissioners to complete ground-level assessments in advance to ensure smooth operations during field visits.
IG, BSF, presented a comprehensive report on land usage between the IB and the fence, highlighting both opportunities and local demands for effective cultivation. He also assured full cooperation from the BSF to support farming activities in the border areas.
