Department of Horticulture, Kathua organized Farmers Awareness Camp at Kishanpur Kandi Panchyat Ghar, Block Barnoti here today to educate the farmers regarding excellent agro climatic conditions suitable for fruit cultivation prevailing in the area.The Horticulture Development Officer, Barnoti, Sandeep Gupta while interacting with the farmers/fruit growers briefed them in detail about various schemes/programmes of the Department presently under implementation in the area and impressed upon them to avail the incentive available under various centrally sponsored schemes. He impressed upon the farmers to adopt the cultivation of cash crops like strawberry which has enormous potential in the area and can play a vital role in improving their socio-economic conditions. He stressed on the establishment of Vermicompost units in their Orchards as the Vermicompost is very useful in maintaining soil fertility and is important for producing quality fruit production and maintaining soil health.
He also gave thrust on adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for getting quality production from their orchards. Farmers put forth several queries regarding Horticultural activities which were addressed on the spot by the Horticulture Development Officer.Sarpanch of Kishanpur Kandi Panchyat, Rani Devi requested to organize such camps in future also so that the farmers of the area are educated about the Departmental schemes and are benefitted.Later, the Horticulture Development Officer along with field staff inspected the Orchards established by the Department in the area and issued on the spot instructions for their better upkeep on scientific lines so that fruit growers can take maximum quality production from their orchards.