The annual action plans for Horticulture and Agriculture sectors for 2016-17 were approved here today in a meeting convened under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar.During the meeting, the formulated plans with ceiling of Rs. 52.411 lakh under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) whereas Rs 1 lakh for Horticulture Mechanization Under Agriculture Department were also approved in the meeting. The plan included Rs.15 lakh for plantation, Rs.8.75 lakh for establishment of new garderns, Rs.1.80 lakh for creation of water sources, Rs.8.93 lakh under protected cultivation, Rs.0.72 lakh for organic farming also for pollination support through beekeeping, horticulture mechanization, human resource development and provision for Kissan mela, workshop and trainings.The DDC had detailed review of progress and achievements of the last financial year.
He stressed on the need of educating farmers about the importance of adopting cost intensive crops like strawberry, papaya and grape besides mix farming of high density planting like mango, guava, litchi, pomegranate, apple, citrus etc. He also impressed for sensitizing people to go far organic farming which has huge market potential. He laid thrust on Vermicomposting which enriches the soil and can be used as a high grade natural, organic fertilizer.DDC called upon the department to promote fruit crops suitable to local weather conditions and track stage by stage growth of plants and fruits.DDC also directed Deputy Registrar Cooperatives to sensitize cooperatives societies for systematic marketing of local horticulture produce to encourage farmers for taking horticulture farming at big scale.Chief Horticulture Officer, Tarvinder Singh and Chief Agriculture Officer Bipan Sambyal gave a resume of the functioning of their department.Joint Director Planning, Area Marketing Officer Jammu/Kathua, District Horticulture Officer, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives and officers of concerned departments were present in the meeting.