Director Agriculture Jammu, K. K. Sharma today inaugurated the Oil Extraction Unit for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants here in the Krishi Bhawan Talab Tillo.
Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs), Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Joint Director SLUB, Agronomist Vegetable Imp Scheme, Agriculture Research Engineer, Agriculture Chemist, Agriculture Economist, SMS Regional Level, Deputy Director (Central) and District Officers were present on the occasion besides others.
The Director Agriculture said that efforts are being made to popularize high tech interventions by the department for doubling farmers’ income and attracting the educated unemployed youth towards agriculture entrepreneurship.
He stressed upon the officers to motivate the farmers to go for the cultivation of medicinal & aromatic plants and exotic/high value vegetables under protected and controlled conditions to get round the year production with high returns.
He said that highest ever Rs 2.47 crore vegetable seedlings have been produced & distributed by Public Sector/Private Nurseries during 2022-23 in the Jammu Division.He further apprised that the portable unit for extracting essential oils of 10 Kg capacity has been installed at Medicinal, Aromatic and Ornamental Nursery.
Meanwhile, after installation of the Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Oil Extraction Machine today, 31 ml of Lemon Grass Oil was extracted on the spot. It was apprised that about 3000 saplings of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants have been provided to the growers with a revenue realization of Rs. 0.62 lacs.
The Director also inspected the Vegetable Seedling Nursery in which more than 5.00 lac vegetable seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage, knol-khol, broccoli and marigold have been raised under NVPGH structures for the farmers to raise early crop during Rabi 2023-24 season.
Agronomist (Vegetables), J. C. Raina informed the visiting officers that more than 15.00 lac Vegetable Seedlings have been raised and distributed among growers during the year 2022-23 with a record revenue realization of Rs 6.75 lacs.
To mark Meri Maati Mera Desh fortnight, the officers and officials took the Panch Pran Pledge to make India Developed & self reliant. Programme Officer, Jt. Directorate of Agri. Extension conducted the proceedings of the programme.