Directorate of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Jammu on Friday organised a one day Seminar Cum Awareness Programme on Holistic Development of Vegetables under MIDH (Mission for Integrated Dev. of Horticulture), here at Kissan Kendra, Talab Tillo, Jammu. Director Agriculture, Ram Savak, graced the function as the Chief Guest.
As many as 150 progressive farmers and vegetable growers participated in the programme. R.K. Hitaishi, Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension) explained the objective of the programme and highlighted the importance of Vegetable Cultivation in income and employment generation.
A.S. Reen, Joint Director of Agriculture (Inputs) emphasised upon vegetable growers to grow vegetables organically which are safe for human consumption besides production of off- season vegetables through Protective Cultivation Technology. Jagdish Chander Raina, Agronomist Jammu presented brief overview of Vegetable Improvement Scheme Jammu for welfare of Vegetables growers .
He also spoke on scope and potential of vegetable cultivation in view of increasing consumer demand and availability of different Agro Climatic conditions suitable for vegetable cultivation in Jammu division. Director in his address highlighted the significance of Vegetables in nutritional and food security.
He also highlighted the role of FPO for providing Market Linkage and increasing bargaining power of vegetable growers. He emphasised upon vegetable growers to take advantage of various initiatives available under HADP and other schemes of the department.
Technical Session was conducted, in which experts of department Arun Jaral, SMS-SDL and Gulshan Sharma, JAEO delivered lectures on different aspects of Vegetables like Organic and Exotic Vegetable Cultivation. Raj Kumar ADA, apprised the participants about incentives available under HADP and other schemes for entrepreneurship development in Vegetables.
Prem Singh, DSCO Jammu made aware the participants regarding production methodology, incentives and certification procedures for open pollinated vegetables. An interactive session was also conducted in which queries of farmers were replied satisfactorily by experts of departments.
Alok Pandotra, Deputy Director (Trainings), Suresh Khajuria, DSSO Jammu, Vinod Kundal, CAO Jammu, Jograj Singh, Agriculture Economist among other senior officers attended the programme. Rajeev Katoch, Programme Officer conducted the proceedings of the programme. The vote of thanks was presented by R.K. Hitaishi, Joint Director of Agriculture ( Extension) Jammu.