Baramulla November 10:(KNS) Director Horticulture Kashmir Mr Ajaz Ahmad Bhat,KAS today conducted an extensive tour of Kreeri Baramulla. The Director was accompanied by Executive Engineer, Horticulture (P&M) Construction Division Srinagar, Chief Horticulture officer Baramulla and other field officers of the Department. The construction of Horticulture Development office building Kreeri was inspected and instructions were given to create additional facility of Soil testing and Pesticide Laboratory in the said building so as to provide the testing facility of soil and pesticide to the growers of the area. Director Horticulture also visited various orchards in the area and instructions were given to field staff to provide technical know how to the growers particularly on pruning of orchards and orchard management. Director Horticulture also visited various Departmental nurseries and issued strict instructions to Chief Horticulture officer to develop the mother orchards of different varieties in these nurseries and multiply latest high quality root stocks. Director Horticulture took a detailed stock of high density plantation programme as an activity to increase the returns manifold. He also visited various medium density orchards in the area. During interaction with the growers, Director Horticulture highlighted the developmental schemes implemented by the department and also described the incentive being provided to the orchardists and other stakeholders. He also exhorted that about 1.5 lac Bud wood of different varieties will be imported for their distribution among the farmers (growers) through concerned Chief Horticulture officers of concerned districts.(KNS)