JAMMU: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, today conducted an extensive tour of R.S Pura area of Jammu.
On the occasion, he was accompanied by Director Horticulture Jammu, Ram Savak, PRI members, and other officers of the department.
During the tour, the ACS inspected the orchards of Lime, Strawberry, Guava, & Fig of the beneficiaries namely S. Attar Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Kulbir Singh, Raman Gupta, at villages Kadyal and Badyal of R.S Pura zone.
Dulloo also planted a sapling of Guava cv. Taiwan pink in the farmer’s field at Kadyal for plantation of Guava in 100 kanal area.
The ACS also chaired an interaction programme in the field of a progressive farmer namely Sukhdev Singh at Kadyal who has adopted a multi-tier cropping pattern by planting Teak, Strawberry & Guava in his field.
While speaking on the occasion, ACS said that there is a great scope of the horticulture sector in the area especially the Strawberry and plantation of High-Density orchards of Guava & Litchi. Moreover, the department is supporting the farmers both financially and technically and they should take benefit of this. He asked the farmers to adopt the diversification of crops in their fields so that they can earn during the whole year.
During the programme, Director Horticulture Jammu apprised the ACS about the progress being made in respect of plantation in sub-tropical areas of the Jammu division under various departmental schemes. He informed the gathering of farmers about the incentives available under various centrally and state-sponsored schemes of the department and urged them to come forward and avail the benefits on different components viz: Bore Well, Geo-tanks, Custom Hiring Centres etc. for the upliftment of their socio-economic status.
Atal Dulloo laid emphasis on the plantation of strawberries as this is a short-duration crop and by adopting cultivation of this crop, the farmers can enhance their income manifold.
He also interacted with the farmers who informed the chair about the income they are generating from the plantation of horticulture crops especially strawberries and also about the benefits from the horticulture department.
The ACS also handed over the sanction letters to the beneficiaries of the R.S Pura zone for the “On-farm handling unit (pack house)” & “Power tiller”.
Later, Atal Dulloo visited the Govt. Grape Farm Maralia and inspected the bower system of grapes.
He impressed upon officers to enhance the production of Grape plants and also laid thrust on the production of quality planting material so that the common farmer is benefitted.
