REASI, FEBRUARY 22: An Awareness Camp was organized today at Mahore, District Reasi, by the Chief Horticulture Officer, Reasi, Rajinder Sharma, under the aegis of the Department of Horticulture.
The programme was graced by the Director Horticulture Jammu, Gul Syed, as the Chief Guest. Among others present on the occasion were the Assistant Director Horticulture, Sunil Gupta; Horticulture Development Officer (Additional Charge), Mahore, Sansar Chand and other officers and field staff of the department.
During the camp, farmers were sensitized about various ongoing Centrally Sponsored and UT sector schemes aimed at the holistic development and enhancement of the horticulture sector. The Director elaborated on the benefits and objectives of flagship schemes such as the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), emphasizing their pivotal role in enhancing productivity, promoting quality planting material and augmenting income generation for orchardists.
Later, the Director visited Tuli Nursery, where a plantation drive was carried out. High-value walnut variety (Chandler) plants were planted in the orchard maintained and owned by Akhlaq Choudhary, a beneficiary under departmental schemes. The Director appreciated the beneficiary for adopting modern horticultural practices and maintaining quality standards.
While interacting with the farmers, the Director stressed the adoption of advanced technologies, high-density plantations, and Ultra High Density (UHD) apple cultivation under various government-supported initiatives to enhance productivity and strengthen the horticulture sector in the district.
The programme concluded with an interactive session wherein farmers raised their queries, which were satisfactorily addressed by the officers of the department.