Srinagar, July 25 (KNS): A day long extensive tour was conducted by Director Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (KAS) to District Budgam. He took a detailed stock of all developmental programmes being under taken in the field. Later on he visited various high density orchards instructions were issued to officers to maintain close liaison with the orchardists so that they get timely technical knowhow particularly benefits of establishment of high density orchards.
Director Horticulture instructed officers to guide/aware fruit growers about latest techniques of fruit cultivation and also identify more and more farmers to be covered under high density plantation programme so as to ensure doubling the farmers income by way of making all efforts in the field of Horticulture. He also inspected various fruit plants nurseries and laid emphasis on propagation of quality panting material and introduction of new high yielding varieties of different cultivars.
He also paid a visit to fruit plant nursery Pattan Baramulla. During the inspection of the nursery District Horticulture officer briefed about the various activities undertaken in the nursery and also the detail of transplantation of Apple clonal root stock for propagation.
On spot instructions were issued for conducting the time bound operations and proper maintenance of the nursery while following the guidelines and SOP related to COVID-19-Pendemic. Director Horticulture directed the nursery staff to work with zeal and dedication so that quality plant material is produced in the nursery.

Later on Director Horticulture visited base station Chogul Handwara. He was accompanied by Chief Horticulture officer and concerned Horti.Dev. officer Chogul. Director was appraised about the progress made in various developmental activities in the nursery particularly converge of 4 hectare area under highdensity plantation.
Further stock of activities in relation to growing of fruit plants under controlled conditions in high tech green houses was undertaken and instructions issued to the staff posted for better utilization of facilities/resources.
During the course of inspection of walnut nursery Chandigam Lolab he was appraised that various developmental activities are in progress so as to ensure that the nursery area is developed for production of high quality walnut plants for further distribution to the farmers in line with feasibility of area. Regarding providing/fixing of chain link fencing around the nursery by Rural Development Department, Instructions were issued to get the instant work completed within shortest possible time. (KNS)