The Minister for Education, Mr Naeem Akhtar today accompanied a group of students from Anantnag and Kulgam to High Density Apple Model Orchard at Bamdoora, here. The exploratory tour was organized by the Education Department to acquaint the students to the use of latest technology in horticulture sector.While interacting with the students, the Minister urged them to take such professions and academic streams which best capitalize their potential. He said every individual is endowed with unlimited potential and students should sublimate their potential for their own betterment and general welfare of the society. He asked the students to act as ambassadors of change and prevail over the parents to adopt new scientific, sustainable and environment-friendly methods of farming.The Minister asked the accompanying students to take up horticulture as a profession among a plethora of available professions as this sector has witnessed massive growth with the adoption of scientific methods and latest technologies. The Minister lauded the efforts of the young owner of Apple Model Orchard and said that students should take inspiration from him.
The High Density Apple Orchard is spread over an area of 45 kanals of land with 200 saplings planted per kanal. The root stock of the orchard has been imported from Europe and grafted of over dozens of varieties. The orchard has the productivity potential of 2.5 times higher than the average yield of apple with average returns per kilogram 3-4 times higher.A number of local deputations met the Minister during the visit and demanded among other things adequate staffing and infrastructure development at various schools of the area.The Minister gave on spot directions to CEO Anantnag to take the fencing work of schools under convergence with Rural Development Department besides providing adequate staff to the government schools of the area.The Minister was accompanied by Director, School Education Kashmir, Dr Shah Faesal, ACR Anantnag Syed Shabir Ahmad, SDM Kokernag, Mr Bilal Khurshid and CEO Anantnag Mr. Ghulam Rasool Shah.