Srinagar,Nov 24 (KNS):Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat on Tuesday convened a review meeting at Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir to take stock of all developmental programmes being undertaken in the field.
The meeting was attended by all Chief Horticulture Officers, Farm Managers, Nursery Registration Officers and Horticulture Development Officers.
Bhat highlighted the importance of the horticulture sector and its role for employment generation through trade in fertilizer, distribution, pesticides, machinery and other post-harvest management practices besides production of fruit crop.
He laid emphasis on propagation of quality planting material in public sector nurseries for establishment of orchards in farmer’s fields. During the meeting all the officers were sensitized on the issues related to availability of quality inputs like fertilizers and pesticides and were directed to ensure frequent checking of the stocks available in the market, so that the quality products are made available in the market. The extension agencies working in the field were directed to publicize the role of the Department and schemes under implementation through Department of Horticulture using all modern tools of information like pamphlets, hoardings, posters in the field so that the farmers are benefited under the schemes in vogue.

The achievement progress under all Schemes was discussed in detail with the controlling officers/District Heads. The Director Horticulture conveyed his displeasure on the low expenditure made by the District Heads and sought the reasons for low expenditure. The Director Horticulture directed the field officers to speed up execution of works so as to ensure timely expenditure during the current financial year without any fail.
All the Chief Horticulture Officers were directed to ensure the awareness among growers through different mediums related to 50 per cent subsidy announced by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on transportation via air on a pilot basis as part of the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of notified fruits and vegetables under a scheme titled 'Operation Greens - TOP to Total', from production clusters to consumption centers.
During the meeting, issue regarding Farmers Interest Group to establish CA store(s) on a cooperative basis was discussed in the meeting and it was impressed upon all Chief Horticulture Officers to make a group of farmers and also register such groups under the Society Act.
CHOs were impressed to conduct training/awareness at Block/tehsil level so that farming community is provided technical know-how in the field of horticulture. CHOs were directed to ensure frequent irrigation to rootstock in departmental nurseries. Director further directed all the concerned to address the issues of the growers faced by them in overall orchard management viz. pruning, spraying, soil testing etc. (KNS)