Kathua: Director Horticulture Jammu on Friday interacted with the fruit growers and potential orchardists of District Kathua here at a District Level Farmers’ Capacity Development Camp.
The programme aimed to chalk out the strategy for the upcoming Rainy season for establishment of new orchards of Exotic as well as market driven fruit crops viz Dragon, Avocado, Kiwi, Grapes, Mango, Litchi and Citrus crops.
The farmers put forth wide range of issues/demands related to machinery, Water Harvesting Structures, Establishment of Nurseries etc.
Chief Horticulture Officer Ashwani Sharma welcomed the Director Horticulture and all the fruit growers/orchardists of the District. Pest management was addressed by District Officer Bharat Bhushan and schemes/subsidies explained by Varinder Sharma (District Officer). Horticulture Development Officers and other officials of the Department also attended the programme,
The camp was attended by more than 150 farmers and raised issues regarding marketing and insurance. Ex-sarpanches Bholi Singh Jasrotia, ParshotamSingh, Bui Lal (Dragon Orchardist), an Innovative farmer. Vikrant Sharma and Meena Kumari from Self-Help Group, Hiranagar also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the Director inaugurated the Processing Hall in the complex of Manager cum Chemist, Extension Centre for Fruit and Vegetables Preservation Kathua. He then had an interaction with the women trainees at the “One day Training Camp on Fruit/Vegetable Preservation”. He asked them to get trained in the art of fruit & vegetables preservation and the department will assist them in setting up of Micro Food Processing units for the value addition of fruit and vegetable products which will provide them employment opportunities.
He encouraged the fruit growers for setting up of Processing units, Formation of Self-Help Groups, Establishment of Grading and packaging units, provision for Solar fencing to check wild animals and construction of Deep Borewell to meet the requirements of Kandi farmers .
Later, the Director chaired a meeting of the District Officers, Horticulture Development Officers, officials & field functionaries of the District. He instructed the officers to organize Awareness Camps, Kissan Goshtis, etc. to ensure better implementation of departmental schemes especially HADP for the ultimate benefit of the fruit growers.
Earlier, Chief Horticulture Officer Kathua, Ashwani Sharma briefed the chair about the ongoing works and achievements made under different schemes being implemented in the district.
Vote of Thanks was given by Shakil Ahmed, District Horticulture Officer, Kathua.
