With an objective to create reserve manpower for propagation techniques and job opportunities for local youth, the department of Horticulture, Udhampur in collaboration with KVK Reasi conducted a ‘Skill Development Programme’ at Government fruit plant Nursery, Badolla Udhampur here today.Conducted under the guidance of Director Horticulture, Jammu Anuradha Gupta, around 22 trainees belonging to farming community of the district participated in the training programme.During the training, the resource persons stressed on the need for encouraging the concept of organic farming and minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers in Horticulture. They also informed the participants about the “Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)”, a centrally sponsored scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits vegetables and other crops.Chief Horticulture Officer, Brij Vallabh Gupta asked the farmers to avail the maximum benefits of such schemes for raising their living standard. He assured the farmers that all efforts would be made by the department to provide quality plants and other required inputs.Scientist from KVK, Reasi Dr S N Querishi also delivered a lecture on Scientific Management of Nursery including budding grafting techniques.Later, the Chief Horticulture Officer distributes tool kit sets among the trainees.District Horticulture Officer, Udhampur Rajesh Pangotra, Horticulture Development Officer, Rajesh Gupta besides other officers of concerned department and trainees attended the training.