The Director Horticulture Kashmir, G.R. Mir kick-started the plantation drive by planting a fruit plant at Directorate of Horticulture Rajbagh, Srinagar. The event was attended by officers and officials of the Directorate of Horticulture, Rajbagh.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Horticulture Kashmir emphasized the importance of planting trees and urged the officers and field staff to actively participate in the plantation drive.
The Director of Horticulture also visited the Pesticide Testing Laboratory (PTL), Rajbagh and took stock of its functioning. Later, the Director Horticulture visited district Budgam, where he participated in a series of events.
At the outset, he participated in an awareness camp at Chief Horticulture Officer’s office Budgam. The camp was attended by Chief Horticulture Officer Budgam, District Horticulture Officer and other officers of the department besides representatives of PRIs and a good number of farmers.
On spot awareness was given about the beneficiary oriented and self-employment schemes of the Horticulture Department. The Director Horticulture stressed on the field functionaries to remain in close touch with the farmers for resolution of the issues confronting them with regard to management of their orchards.
He assured the farmers of providing them all possible assistance as per the norms prescribed under various departmental schemes. The Director on the occasion visited village Shoolipora, Budgam where he initiated plantation drive under the departmental scheme Area Expansion (Medium-Density).
He also visited the village Jawalapora, where he inspected the newly established High-Density orchard established under the scheme Revised Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme. He interacted with the orchardists and patiently listened to their demands and assured them of all possible support.
The Director instructed the field functionaries of the Department to provide all technical knowhow to the orchardists’ right from pruning to harvesting including thinning, fertigation, nutrient management, pest/disease management etc. with respect to the high-density orchards.