State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans (SABDK) today arranged awareness-cum-field visit for progressive farmers to Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Rangreth, Srinagar.During the visit, scientists of CITH provided training to a group of 70 farmers about the benefits of high yielding varieties (High Density Plants), hybrids and post harvest management.The farmers were exposed to various innovative research work conducted by the Institute. They were made familiar with the techniques on post harvest management to control storage losses, besides they were given acquainted with best practices adopted by the scientists in Horticulture sector with the use of modern technology which can help the farmers to produce high quality apples with less input costs.Besides, the farmers were taken to field visit which was followed with an interaction session with the scientists of the Institute.Vice Chairman SABDK Daljit Singh Chib, Secretary Horticulture & Information Technology Mohammad Hussain Malik, Secretary Board Abdul Hamid Wani, Officials of the Board and other concerned also attended the awareness programme.
The VC expressed hope that the research work of scientists can help the farmers of State to increase their apple production besides producing good quality apples. He said the industry has a potential to accommodate more youths who can start their own business by developing small scale industries.While calling Horticulture the back bone of the State’s economy, the Secretary Horticulture & IT said that the sector generates about Rs 5000 crore annually and keeps the State’s economy running.Director CITH highlighted the work of the Institute and advised the farmers to make use of the research work available at the institute, so that they can increase the quality yield.Other speaker expressed hope that the Board will widen its scope towards Floriculture, Apiculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and other sectors to give a flip to the economy of the State.