Excelsior Correspondent
BANI (KATHUA) Oct 15: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla today inaugurated Bani Horticulture Kissan Mela and Fruit Show in the presence of Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry (Independent Charge) Nazir Ahmed Gurezi at Mela ground here.
Nearly, 1000 fruit growers from far-flung areas of the district participated in the show along with their fruit exhibits. More than 25 fruit samples including fresh and dried samples of various kinds viz. apple, pear, quince, pomegranate, persimmon, lime, galgal, walnut, almond and peanut were displayed in the show.
Besides, value added products such as jam, juice, pickles, squashes of different fruits were also displayed in the mela to boost the home scale processing of surplus production of the horticulture produce.
MLA Lal Chand, Ex-Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly, Gh Hyder Malik, Ex-Minister Prem Sagar Aziz, Director, Horticulture Anil Kumar Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Sharma, Sub Divisional Magistrate Ranjit Singh, Chief Horticulture Officer Tarvinder Singh besides other senior officers of Horticulture Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kathua, Rural Development, Sericulture, Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments and farmers in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Addressing a large gathering of farmers, Mr. Bhalla has said that Government was committed to provide marketing facilities to the farmers at their doorsteps and for this purpose the fruit and vegetable markets are being strengthened across the State. He said that fruit and vegetable growers are playing an important role in marketing the horticulture produce across the country, adding that it is the mainstay of State’s economy. He said that there was dire need to optimally exploit the tremendous potential in horticulture and agriculture allied sectors in the State.
The Minister stressed upon mechanization and diversification in farming to make farming a profitable business. He said that the Diesel Ploughs have been introduced for the first time in hilly areas of the State which is showing good results. He said micro-irrigation is being introduced and orchardists provided with quality planting material for raising new orchards. He said that the drip-irrigation scheme approved by the Government is underway for execution in favour of fruit growers for increasing productivity.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gurezi said need of the hour is to exploit the optimum potential in the sector by setting up of walnut scientific processing units across the district. He said that this is key source to ensure the economic growth of the State in general and farming community in particular as horticulture is the back bone of the State’s economy.
The Minister called for close coordination between Horticulture and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) so that maximum farmers are benefited. He directed for judicious use of funds available under the horticulture sector. He said various centrally sponsored schemes are meant for the farmers with an aim to improve their living standard.
The Minister directed the officers to sensitize the farmers about the latest technologies so that the same could percolate to the growers in the field. He called upon the farmers to avail the benefits of Horticulture Mission scheme, adding that for this purpose Central Government has provided liberal funding.
Director Horticulture Anil Sharma briefed the farmers about the incentives available under various Centrally sponsored schemes like Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Mission on Medicinal Plants (NMMP).
Follow our WhatsApp channel