Malhotra reviews growth under horticulture sector

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 8: The Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra has directed the Horticulture department to use scientific methods to tap the huge horticulture potential in the State.
Chairing a meeting of the concerned functionaries convened to review the achievements recorded under the sector, the LC Chairman asked the department to utilize all available technical and material resources to produce high yield fruit tree species at its nurseries to promote this lucrative farming in the State.
He also asked the Horticulture authorities to extend every help to the farmers to develop nurseries on scientific lines.
Mr. Malhotra directed the department to lay more emphasis on potential areas of Jammu to develop orchards as per local agro-climate conditions. “Jammu region has huge untapped horticulture potential that can transform the local economy, if tapped on scientific lines”, he said.
The meeting held a threadbare discussion on various issues with special emphasis on creating awareness and effective implementation of the promotional and intervention schemes.
Director, Horticulture Jammu gave a detailed resume of the incentives being provided to farmers under different Central and State sector schemes. He also highlighted the need for meeting the manpower requirement in the department.
The Director said that better road connectivity and irrigation facilities are key to ensure better implementation of schemes aimed at to promote the horticulture in hilly areas.
Mr. Malhotra asked the concerned to submit a detailed note on the measures required to be taken for promotion of this sector in the potential areas to enable the planners to frame polices on similar lines.
Among others, Deputy Secretary, Council Secretariat, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, Deputy Director Horticulture Jammu, P.K. Sharma, District Level Subject Matter Specialists, Horticulture Information and Publication officers and other officers of Council Secretariat attended the meeting.