Secretary, Horticulture Department, Manzoor Ahmed Lone today inaugurated a Horticulture Mela here today.The event witnessed a huge rush of orchardists, plant lovers, entrepreneurs associated with horticulture sector besides representatives of pesticides companies.Secretary Horticulture, on the occasion, said that aim of the event is to expose people to the new trends in horticulture crop management.“Our focus is on intensive farming where farmers with latest practices and machinery can increase their productivity,” he said.Lone also highlighted the role of Horticulture sector in the economy of J&K and said that the sector is one of the core focus areas of the government.He urged the farming community to adopt scientific techniques to enhance the production and productivity and asked the orchardists to approach Horticulture department for latest trends, techniques and schemes for their welfare.The Secretary also suggested farmers to focus on organic farming and adoption of sustainable farm practices besides advising them to get the technology of walnut grafting, scientific grading, packaging of fruits for overall good results and increasing their returns.On the occasion, he released pesticides spray calendar which will guide the farmers on spraying of their orchards for better results. He also distributed subsidy cheques of farming equipment to the orchardists besides mementoes to the progressive farmers of various districts.Earlier, the Secretary visited stalls setup by farm machinery dealers, pesticides companies, apple crop management companies, plant sapling entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs associated with food processing industry besides stalls setup by entrepreneurs associated with food processing sector.
The entrepreneurs informed the Secretary about the support provided by the department in starting their own units.Director Horticulture, Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, Joint Director Horticulture L. K Bali and Chief Horticulture Officers of all districts and officials of NABARD and J&K Bank were present on the occasion.