Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla today conducted an extensive tour of Marh and Akhnoor blocks to assess the position of fruit and vegetable production in private and Government orchards.
Accompanied by Director Agriculture, Dr. Anil Kumar Sharma, Chief Horticulture Officer, J.L. Raina, District Horticulture Officer, K.S. Raina and other senior officers of concerned departments, the Minister visited Ghari and Nai Basti in Akhnoor and Sangrampur in Marh.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with farmers and asked them to avail benefits of schemes launched by centre and State Governments. He asked the farmers to plant high density plants for more productivity and harvesting, adding that the Centre Government is providing liberal funding for horticulture sector as it could go a long way in raising the socio-economic condition of people especially farming community.
Mr. Bhalla also inspected Polygreen House Structures, Vermi Compost Units which can produce quality manure for high productivity, adding that preventive measures such as active use of pesticides would save the produce from diseases. He asked the department to prepare nurseries for demonstration to bring awareness among farmers so that more people would come forward to adopt horticulture. The Minister underscored the need for proper implementation of state and centrally sponsored schemes.
Mr. Bhalla said that under National Mission of Micro Irrigation, sprinkle and drift technology have been introduced in various districts for irrigation purpose.
The director told the minister that 25 hectare land have been covered in kandi areas of Tehsil Akhnoor under Horticulture Mission which has shown viable results. He said kandi areas have huge Horticulture potential and many people are coming forward to develop orchids in their lands
At Government Garhi Orchard Nursery and Nai Basti Akhnoor, the farmers demanded community centre and fiber shed for which the Minister said that their demands would be fulfilled on priority.
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