KATHUA, JULY 19: Director Horticulture Jammu (DHJ) Gul Sayed today conducted an extensive tour of Kathua district.
During the tour, the Director launched the rainy season plantation drive in the district by planting a sapling of Citrus plant in the farmer’s field at village Pathwal of block Hira Nagar in the presence of Chief Horticulture Officer Kathua Ashwani Sharma, DL-SMS Sandeep Gupta, DHO Varinder Kumar, AD Sunil Gupta, HDO’s Rakesh and Hemraj, I/c HDO Sumit Sharma and farmers.
The Director interacted with the farmers and encouraged them to opt for High Density Plantation. “The Government is providing all assistance to the farmers and they should take all the benefits of the centrally and UT sponsored schemes with a special focus on the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) & Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)” he said. He elaborated on the benefits these schemes offer, particularly to unemployed youth.
He also stressed the importance of these initiatives in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the economic stability of farmers. He impressed upon farmers to procure the plants from Government Fruit Plant Nurseries for plantation in their fields.
Earlier, the CHO welcomed the Director and urged the farmers to come forward and avail benefits of various government schemes to raise their socio-economic status.
The Director also planted a sapling of Litchi and Mango plants at Khnapur, Barnoti and Mankechak, Kathua respectively.
Further, the Director visited Government Fruit Plant Nursery, Ludhwal, wherein he inspected mother blocks of different fruit crops particularly Avocado mother block which was planted last year. He showed keen interest in Avocado farming and said that it is a highly remunerative and futuristic crop. With rising global demand, excellent market prices and long term productivity, it offers farmers a sustainable path to higher income.
The Director took stock of the ongoing developmental activities in the nursery and gave on spot instructions to the nursery staff regarding the production of quality grafted planting material.
Later, the Director chaired a meeting of the District Officers, HDO’s, officials and field functionaries of district Kathua and reviewed the implementation of different schemes in the district.
