Rajouri : Director Horticulture Jammu, Ram Sevak on Saturday inaugurated a one day Training / Interaction Programme on Modified Ultra High Density Apple Plantation here at PWD Dak Bunglow. More than 200 orchardists, farmers of different horticulture zones of district Rajouri, PRI members and field functionaries of the department participated in the training session. Managing Director, Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies, Sudhir Chadha also participated in the training programme as an expert.
At the outset of the training/ interaction programme, the Director Horticulture Jammu reviewed the Horticulture activities in the District, particularly the establishment of new orchards under CAPEX with special emphasis on Modified Ultra High Density Apple Plantation in upper reaches of the District. He urged upon field functionaries of the Department to leave no stone unturned and to work day and night for upliftment of the poor farmers of the District.
“The District has huge potential for horticulture crops which must be tapped with special focus on apple & citrus plantation as this area is very suitable for these fruit crops” he asserted. He stressed the need to encourage Modified High Density Apple Plantation in the area and adopt a cluster approach to establish new orchards. He also impressed upon farmers to focus on post harvest management of fruit crops by establishing processing units for fruit processing/ fruit drying/ spices preparation etc with more than 50% financial assistance from the department under the PMFME scheme for the value addition of fruit products which will not only reduce post harvest losses but also provide employment opportunities for the rural youth.
The Expert from Indo-Dutch Horticulture technologies, interacted with the farmers and gave a detailed presentation on technical know-how and management of the Modified Ultra High Density Apple Plantation. While divulging the advantages of UHD, he informed that this apple crop is ready to harvest about 25-30 days earlier as compared to the traditional apple varieties, which in turn fetches better returns.
Some queries were also raised by the farming community during the programme regarding the implementation of the scheme, funding pattern, loan disbursement problems etc. The Director gave a patient hearing and assured them of every possible help from the department.
Earlier, Chief Horticulture officer Rajouri Sh. Madan Lal Tak welcomed Director Horticulture Jammu and briefed about the status of various ongoing works and progress made in the district under Modified Ultra High Density Apple plantation scheme during the current year.
