Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 29: In a bid to create awareness among the farming community for plantation of fruit crops during the ensuing rainy season, the Department of Horticulture Jammu conducted a series of farmers’ awareness cum interaction programmes at Tung, Dhanu, Hundwal and Bhagani, the far flung areas of block Bhalwal.
All the programmes were chaired by Chief Horticulture Officer Jammu Sarbjeet Singh. District Level- Subject Matter Specialist (Pomology) Jammu Sandeep Gupta, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) Bhalwal Sandeep and a large number of farmers including women and PRI members of the area participated in the programmes.
While addressing a large gathering of farmers at Bhagani, the Chief Horticulture Officer said as the rainy season is going on, this is the most suitable time for plantation of fruit crops in order to establish new orchards. He said that being a ‘Kandi’ belt, in addition to traditional crops, the farmers can go for plantation of exotic fruit crops like Dragon fruit in the area.
“The Department is providing a good incentive on plantation of Dragon fruit which starts bearing fruits in the second year and comes in commercial bearing in the third year. Being a crop of high medicinal value, it is in great demand and it is fetching a good price in the market,” he added. Further, he impressed upon farmers to establish Custom Hiring Centres/Farm Machinery Banks wherein the Department is providing 40% to 80%.
Sandeep Gupta elaborated in detail about the various schemes of the Department in vogue. He urged farmers to adopt integrated farming in their fields and avail the benefits on different components viz: Bore Well, water harvesting tanks, Drip irrigation, Mechanization, protected cultivation, tools & implements etc. for upliftment of their socio- economic status.
HDO Bhalwal carried out the proceedings of all the programmes. He ensured the chair that minimum 100 hectares of area will be covered under plantation during the ensuing rainy season in Bhalwal wherein 40,000 fruit plants shall be planted.
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