Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, today convened a high level meeting to review the status of projects envisaging creation of Horticulture villages in district Rajouri.The Minister had a detailed review of arrangements put in place for setting up horticulture villages in six villages of the district.The project envisages creation of cluster of Model Horticulture villages at Keri, Behla and Gunda villages of the district besides establishment of Walnut village at Draj, Phalni and Panjnara village.The Minister said that promotion of horticulture will not only benefit the environment but also raise the rural economy. “This step will surely bring an attitudinal change among the people towards green economy thus encouraging them for adopting this alluring venture in a big way,” he added.
The Minister directed the officers to identify the land for plantation of walnut and apple trees and for water harvesting in the district so that every farmer could get benefit from this. He also asked them to start these plantations within a week’s time in these villages. He asked them to bring maximum youth under the ambit of various horticulture schemes so that they earn a good livelihood. He also directed them to complete the projects of horticulture being executed in the stipulated timeframe and formulate proposal projects for further boost to the sector in the district.The Minister also took stock of various schemes of horticulture and availability of plants in the district.The Minister was informed that the new plants of apples are of good quality and will be planted with hail nut cover so that during the bad weather the fruit will not be destroyed due to hailstorm or waves. They also informed him that 6000 walnut plants and 2500 apple plants will be planted in Rajouri villages.Among others the meeting was attended by Secretary Horticulture, Director Horticulture Jammu, Director Rural Development and officers from Horticulture Department.