Srinagar August 27 (KNS): Director Horticulture Kashmir, Mr. G.R. Mir (JKAS) on Saturday toured sub-division Handwara of district Kupwara . He was accompanied by Chief Horticulture Officer, Kupwara, District Horticulture Officer, Kupwara and other officers of the Department.
At the outset of the tour, Director Horticulture visited Departmental Fruit Plant Nursery Chougal Handwara, where he took stock of various nursery operations like hoeing, weeding, summer pruning etc. On the occasion he stressed for propagation of quality fruit plants, so that we are able to compete with national as well as international competitors. He gave on spot instructions for optimum utilization of land and other resources. He further stressed upon the staff to speed up nursery operations and focus on orchard and nursery sanitation.
He also emphasized on the field functionaries to get all the private and public nurseries of the district registered with the department and accredited with National Horticulture Board (NHB).
Director Horticulture also visited Neelipora village, where he inspected Ultra High-Density Apple orchard of Mr. Mohammad Aslam Rather a progressive orchardist of the area. He interacted with the orchardist and appreciated his hard work.
Later, Director Horticulture inspected the Departmental Canning Centre, Handwara where he inspected the functioning of the centre and stressed for imparting training to the youth on preservation and value addition of fruit and vegetables on priority, in order to enable them to become self reliant and self employed.(KNS)