Minister for Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli Tuesday called upon the officers to explore all possibilities for promoting horticulture in potential areas of Rajouri district.The Minister was speaking at a meeting of officers convened to review the activities of agriculture, floriculture, horticulture and sericulture departments in the border district.The Minister said that the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri including Kalakote area has huge potential for fruit production as the area has fertile land available for the purpose.Detailed discussion was held on the implementation of flagship programmes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and ATMA in the area.Taking stock of floriculture sector, the Minister asked the concerned to organize awareness camps to educate people about the benefits of cultivation of floriculture. He also directed the concerned to gear up their field functionaries and provide proper guidance to the farmers with regard to intervention schemes launched by the State and Centre Governments for the benefit of the farmers and general public.The Minister also asked the concerned to conduct detailed geo-climatic survey in Kalakote Constituency to guide farmers in horticulture activities.
Threadbare discussions were also held on agriculture activities and it was informed in the meeting that the department is supplying seed and fertilize to the farmers on subsidized rates. The Minister directed the concerned to work with more dedication and ensure timely distribution of seeds and fertilizers to the farmers.It was informed in the meeting that the agriculture department is regularly imparting training to farmers drawn from various areas about the latest farming techniques.The Minister directed the concerned to plant saplings on barren and Kahcharie land on war footing basis.Activities about Sericulture sector also came under discussion and it was informed in the meeting that the department is organising awareness camps to aware the farmers about the sector. It was also informed in the meeting that the Rajouri district leads in sericulture production in the state and the department is constructing silkworm Rearing House at Kalakot soon. It was informed in the meeting that the department is providing nursery seed, silk worm seed and mulberry trees to the farmers.The Minister enjoined upon the officers to work with utmost dedication and ensure that the benefits of the flagship programmes reach to the common masses.Senior Officers of agriculture, floriculture, sericulture and horticulture departments attended the meeting.