Leh, March 02, 2026: The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today chaired the State/UT-Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) meeting to approve the Annual Action Plan for the Financial Year 2026–27 under the centrally sponsored schemes Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana, including components of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
The meeting aimed to finalise and approve the consolidated Annual Action Plans for the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture in Ladakh for 2026–27.
A detailed presentation was delivered by the Joint Director, Agriculture, outlining the proposed Annual Action Plan under Krishonnati Yojana and RKVY. The presentation covered key components including the ATMA scheme, the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (Wheat), major interventions under Krishonnati Yojana, and farm mechanisation initiatives.
The Director of Horticulture presented the proposed activities under RKVY and MIDH, including Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (organic farming), organic certification initiatives, Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), and other major horticulture development programmes.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasised the promotion of buckwheat and traditional Ladakhi wheat varieties, directing departments to ensure maximum outreach and benefit to eligible farmers under the schemes.
He also reviewed the identification and development of nursery land across Ladakh, stressing the need for transparent village selection, proper land suitability assessment, and addressing gaps observed during earlier selections. Emphasising long-term sustainability, he called for a feasibility study on establishing a digital agricultural market platform for Ladakh and assessing its potential outcomes.
Highlighting the region’s unique agro-climatic advantages, the Chief Secretary stressed scaling up high-value horticulture crops, unique fruits and vegetables, and nursery assets for national and international marketing. He also underlined the need to upgrade traditional medicinal systems under Sowa-Rigpa and promote medicinal plant cultivation in convergence mode. Further, he instructed departments to adopt a farmer-wise convergence approach, strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and promote FPO-oriented schemes to enhance economies of scale.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary Dr. Laltinkhuma Franklin; Secretary, Horticulture, Bhupesh Chaudhary; Secretary, Rural Development, Shashanka Ala; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk; Director Industries & Commerce, Ashraf Bhat; Joint Director Agriculture, Thinles Dawa; Director Horticulture, Tsewang Punchok; Additional Secretary Horticulture, Dr. Usman Khan; and other senior officers from the concerned departments.
