Director Agriculture Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen, concluded a comprehensive tour of District Udhampur to review the progress of ongoing agricultural initiatives and infrastructure under key programs such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and NABARD.
The visit focused on evaluating the implementation and impact of these projects, ensuring their alignment with the objectives of sustainable agricultural growth in the region. The Director commenced his tour with a detailed meeting at the Chief Agriculture Officer's (CAO) office.
During the meeting, the CAO Sanjay Anand gave a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the progress, achievements, and future goals of various agricultural schemes in the district.
This session provided valuable insights into the successful implementation of these programs and areas requiring further attention. After the meeting, Arvinder Singh Reen visited the Soil Testing Laboratory in Udhampur, inspecting the facilities, equipment and staff competency.
He shared constructive feedback on the lab’s functioning. The Director also toured Kawa Farm, where he observed ongoing agricultural projects and praised the farming practices and overall agricultural development in the district.
Notably, he inspected the SMAF Nursery and the 35 MT Pasteurized Compost Making Unit at SM Farm Kawa. The Director highlighted that the compost plant would not only provide ready-made pasteurized compost to local growers but also benefit adjacent districts, supporting the region’s move toward self-sufficiency in mushroom production while creating self-employment opportunities for youth.
The Director also reviewed the construction of the Pesticide Laboratory under NABARD and visited the controlled environment cropping unit for mushrooms. Accompanying the Director were Chief Agriculture Officer Sanjay Anand, Assistant Agrostologist Amit Sharma, DAO (Extension) Vinod Gupta, SDAO Ajay Sharma and other senior officers and staff.