District Development Commissioner (DDC) Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal, today, chaired a meeting convened to review the achievements made under Agriculture and Horticulture sectors.The Chief Horticulture Officer and Agriculture Officer briefed the meeting about the key achievements registered by the departments during the current fiscal. They said that department has registered remarkable achievements under nurseries/orchards sector including transplantation of clonal root stock for propagation of quality fruit plants, grafting of walnut root stock and grafting of other fresh fruits.They also briefed the meeting about the achievements under various schemes like MIDH, PMDP, ATMA, PM-KISSAN, KCC and CAPEX during the current financial year.The Chief Agriculture Officer informed that under CAPEX budget 2020-21, Rs 43.29 lakh has been expended against financial allotment of Rs 53.94 lakh till date.Similarly, the Chief Horticulture Officer informed that against an outlay of Rs. 330.55 lakh for the year 2020-21 under CAPEX, an expenditure of Rs. 84.53 lakhs has been made till date.
The meeting also discussed the status of pesticides sampling for which the Chief Horticulture Officer informed that during 2020-21, 14 samples were collected and all were satisfactory. The DDC directed the CHO to carry special drive to ensure no unauthorized person is allowed to operate in the district and carry special drive in this regard. Besides, stern action as per law shall be initiated against such shopkeepers who are indulged in illegal trade of pesticides/insecticides in the district.While reviewing the progress on centrally sponsored schemes, the DDC stressed for generating mass awareness among the common masses so that deserving beneficiaries are covered under these schemes.He also called for special attention in the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors especially on up-gradation of Rehpora Grapes, organic farming, efforts on high density plants and awareness regarding new techniques in agriculture sector as most of the populace is directly involved with the agriculture and allied sectors which is the back-bone of the economy in the district.The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer Ganderbal, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Horticulture Development Officers, President Pesticide and Fertilizer union Ganderbal and other concerned.