To boost Agricultural and its allied sectors across the Jammu and Kashmir State, the State Government has instituted awards for honouring the progressive farmers at block , district and state levels. It is for the first time in the state that the farmers are being encouraged by giving awards for their achievements in agriculture and its allied sectors. The instituting of the farmers’ awards is the part of the government’s policy of making the agriculture as thrust area as it is the backbone of the state’s economy involving 70 percent of its population. The arrangement for giving away the awards to the selected farmers were finalized at a high level meeting held in Jammu which was chaired by J&K Agriculture Minister , Mr. Ghulum Hassan Mir. The Minister said that all the allied sectors of agriculture should be represented in selection list and stressed that the selection of the farmers should be strictly on the basis of performance. He said the main purpose of rewarding the farmer community is to give recognition to their work adding that this would motivate other farmers to show dedication in their respective activities. The meeting decided that this award would be given in 3rd week of February in Kashmir province and last week of February in Jammu province.