District Development Commissioner, Nazim Zai Khan today launched “Backyard Horticulture Programme” in district and distributed saplings of fruit trees among the fruit growers in a function organised by the Horticulture department at Government Middle School, Maitra, Ramban.BDC, Chairman, Ramsoo Shafiq Ahmed Katoch, BDC Chairperson, Gandhri, Shamshad Begum, CPO, Dr. Kasturi Lal, DSP, Asghar Malik, CHO, VK Gupta, PRIs, members of MC, District Horticulture Subject Matter Specialist, Revti Raman Sharma and Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, MG Singh officers of various department besides large number of farmers were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, DDC focused on the importance of Backyard Horticulture Programme to improve socio-economic conduction of small land holders.DDC directed the CHO to encourage the farmers to register a fruit growers association besides identifying a land for the construction of Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Ramban and Ramsoo. He also directed the officers to conduct such programmes at Panchyat levels with consultation of PRIs besides ensuring the soil testing of areas to identify suitable land for Apple, Walnut and Anardana farming.CHO informed that this year as many as 6000 families will be given a kit of 3 fruit plants each at 90 percent subsidy. He further said that to enhance quality and production of Anardana in district department will provide the hybrid Anardan saplings to farmers under Anardana Village Development Programme.On the occasion, the Resource Persons educated the farmers about the various government schemes for farmers, scientific techniques of planting a fruit plant, integrated farming, organic farming, integrated pest management, integrated nutrient management besides about the various subsidies on agricultural implements, machines and irrigation.