Friday, April 14 2006 14:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir needs to adopt appropriate strategies to boost the state's agriculture sector, its minister for agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar said.

Though the state has made some significant strides in the field, it lacked in per hectare area productivity as compared to other states, Zargar said, addressing a seminar on agriculture here yesterday (Apr 14, 2006).

He said non-utilisation of improved varieties of crop, poor post harvest management practices and lack of attention to value-addition of fruit, vegetables and seeds contributed to the poor yield.

The minister urged the researchers and the development departments to co-ordinate their efforts for accelerating the pace of agricultural advancement to help the state attain self sufficiency in food production.

Zargar also urged the need for replacing conventional farming practices to improve productivity.