Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 26: State would soon have Centres of Excellence (CoE) for Horticulture (Fruits) in Kashmir and Jammu regions to promote cultivation of fruits in the twin regions by using latest and internationally acceptable technology and knowhow.
The International Standard Centres -first of their kind in the State, are being established with the objective to produce and supply healthy planting material of various fruit crops, to hold training/demonstration for farmers in pruning, developing high density orchards, rejuvenation, leaf and fruit tree nutrition and to take up need based research for refining technology suitable to the local agro climatic conditions.
This information was given by Minister for Horticulture, Housing Raman Bhalla while chairing a meeting of SKUAST- Jammu scientists, functionaries of Horticulture Department and others to review the achievements under the sector in Jammu region.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST, Secretary to Government, Horticulture Sanjeev Verma and Director Horticulture Jammu Anil Kumar Sharma were also present.
The Minister said that the proposed Centre of Excellence for Horticulture will be managed by the highly trained scientists/staff of Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-J Chatha.
Discussing the modalities for the establishment of Excellence Centre in Jammu, the Minister asked the Director Horticulture to explore the possibilities of acquiring the Government land available in Chatha for the purpose. He said that the area is best suited for the cultivation of horticulture crops by using specialized technologies.
Highlighting the objective of having these centres, the Minister said that the research work and use of new technology to be taken up to achieve strategic development of horticulture.
“The advanced technologies that are internationally acceptable would be promoted through these centres”, the Minister said.
The Minister stressed upon the functionaries to organize regularly State level shows to showcase the horticulture activities in the State.
Later, the Minister inspected Horticulture Nursery at Moraliya and asked the concerned officials to improve infrastructure to develop best quality planting material in the Nursery.
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