Wheat sowing begins beyond border fence in Hiranagar sector of Kathua

The Kathua district administration, in coordination with the Agriculture Department and Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday started wheat sowing beyond the border fence in the Hiranagar sector.

Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma, accompanied by Chief Agriculture Officer Jatinder Khajuria, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Hiranagar, Phulail Singh Bandral, and Commanding Officer, BSF, Kathua-Samba Range, MC Pragyan, formally initiated the sowing activity at Chack Changa village.

The DC said the district administration is encouraging farmers to bring more vacant land under cultivation along the international border. He said farmers are being motivated to adopt integrated farming practices and use modern machinery to reduce input costs and increase agricultural productivity.

He added that the district administration, BSF and Agriculture Department are working in coordination with farmers to ensure safe and secure sowing of wheat across the fence. The Deputy Commissioner also interacted with local farmers and reviewed their requirements.

The Chief Agriculture Officer informed that the department has set a target of 270 acres for wheat sowing during Rabi 2025-26 across the fence. He said 100 acres of land across the border was sown today involving 21 farmers from Chack Changa and Chann Tanda. He added that field teams are providing technical support to farmers for effective sowing.

He further said that farmers are being encouraged to use mechanised methods such as tractors and allied machinery, which save time and reduce labour costs as compared to traditional practices.