Danishwar Hameed
The Director General (DG) Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat Saturday conducted an extensive tour of district kulgam.
During the tour, the DG visited various fruit belts of the district and also took stock of various developmental activities. He also held interaction with many prominent growers of the district and listened to their demands patiently.
Bhat advised them to avail benefits of different Departmental Schemes, especially newly launched Modified High Density Plantation Scheme.
The DG later interacted with the field staff of the district and directed them to give wide publicity to different Departmental Schemes with special focus on newly launched Modified High Density Scheme and Nursery Development Scheme.
He further instructed the officers to make frequent visits to the field and provide the growers with latest technical knowhow. He also urged to conduct awareness camps on routine basis and impart practical training to farmers regarding pruning of fruit plants in the orchards.
The high-density plantations are expected to make horticulture profitable through superior yields, higher yields per hectare, early harvest, and introduction of insect and pest resistance varieties thereby saving the expenditure on disease and pest control.
The new high-density plantation scheme has provisions to provide 50% subsidy to orchardists for the establishment of high-density orchards accompanied by a loan facility for raising 40% of remaining capital. The scheme will also provide subsidies to the growers on account of expenditure related to micro-irrigation, plant material, and anti-hail nets. Under the scheme, preference will be given to farmers with landholdings.
Along with cheif horticulture officer kulgam Mohd Iqbal, Lead Bank Manager Arshid Qadri, chairperson Development council Mohd Afzal Parry & other official members.