MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has announced plans to provide interest-free loans to the landowners under the Agri Loan Scheme.
As per details, Minister for Small Industries, Trade and Travel of Azad Kashmir Professor Taqdees Geelani disclosed the loan scheme on Monday while inaugurating the Spring tree plantation campaign.
Extension Agriculture Coordinator Ms. Amina Rafi, Deputy Director of Muzaffarabad District Raja Zaheer Iqbal, Assistant Horticulture Officer Murtaza Gilani, Assistant Director Muzaffarabad Dr. Khoshbat Zahid and others were also present on this occasion.
She continued that on the instructions of the AJK PM, Small Industries Corporation was going to start an Agri-loan program for the landlords in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
The department will impart training to women on the value addition of agricultural products. She said that the agriculture sector was very important and there was a need to educate the youth and women in this direction.
Taqdees said that the AJK prime minister has directed to ensure the provision of interest-free loans to women and youth in this regard, she will also include Agri-loans in the development program.
She said that the orchards planted by the Department of Agriculture, including olive cultivation, in AJK, will soon start generating income for the people.
“Although the state of Azad Jammu Kashmir has been famous for fruit production for some time we have stopped paying attention to our lands due to which agriculture has suffered”, the minister observed.
Taqdees underlined that even if a person possesses one kanal of land, he can fulfill his agricultural needs with it. She advised the young generation to focus on the agriculture sector through their physical participation to earn their livelihood in normal life.
