Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 17: On the directions of Director Horticulture Anil Kumar Sharma, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu Kirtan Singh Raina today conducted an inspection tour of Litchi Orchards of Flora-Nagbani Panchayat in Marh block where heavy bearing in Litchi orchards was observed.
During the course of visit various INM/ IPM techniques were discussed with progressive litchi orchardists viz, Vidya Sagar, Vinay Kumar, Narinder Singh, Namneet Singh etc.
Orchardists apprised that the IPM/INM practices applied during this year were successful in controlling attack of Nut Borer and other insect pests in Litchi. The various orchardists also shared that they earned about Rs two – Rs three lakh per Ha from litchi during this year.
Chief Horticulture Officer appealed to the farming community to come forward and establish new High density Litchi orchards with the assistance of the Department of Horticulture and also avail other benefits under different schemes.
According to the Director Horticulture Anil Kumar Sharma, the fruit is occupying its major place in those areas where assured irrigation is available in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts and this year, the production of the Litchi fruit is likely to reach 4000 MT.
Although the farmers have setup their sale outlets in the orchards but due to lack of proper marketing facilities, the fruit is not getting remunerative price as compared to the retails outlets in urban areas. The fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C as merely consumption of 100 gm of Litchi fruit gives 72 mg of Vitamin C. The Department is encouraging farmers to establish new orchards with micro irrigation system as plenty of good quality plant material of cultivars viz. Dehradun and Calcutta is available in the Departmental Nurseries. Its best plantation time is rainy season.
Department has advised the farmers to establish vermi compost units in Litchi orchards so that all major and micro nutrients are available for the plant health management to increase the bio security of the crop.
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