The Department of Horticulture today organized a Training Programme on “Organic Certification through Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India)” in technical collaboration with Regional Centre for Organic Farming (RCOF) Panchkula here at its Directorate office.Director Horticulture, Anuradha Gupta chaired the Programme.Dr. Shahina Tabassum, Scientific Officer from RCOF Panhkula was the Resource Person in the Programme which was attended by Joint Director Horticulture Jammu S. Tarvinder Singh, Chief Horticulture Officers, Divisional/District Level Officers of Jammu Division besides progressive Orchardists.Dr. Shahina briefed the participants about the Organic Certification and gave a Power Point Presentation about the procedure involved in the Certification through Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India).
The Director Horticulture impressed upon the participants to take keen interest in the Training Programme as it will prove very beneficial for promoting Organic Farming in Fruit Crops. She said that keeping in view the Health Hazards due to indiscriminate use of Chemical Fertilizers during the production of Fruits and Vegetables, organic Farming and Certification becomes important.“By Organic Certification through Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India), farmers will fetch better returns from their organic produce and will be recognized in the market” she informed. She disclosed that Department is going to start Organic Certification from Marh area of Jammu District and will be extended across the division in a phased manner. Director Horticulture expressed satisfaction over the keen interest shown by some progressive Orchardists present in the programme in adopting the Organic Certification.