Horticulture Department organises Farmers’ training progs under JKCIP

Jammu : The Department of Horticulture Jammu organized a Farmers’ Training Programme under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) at Udheywala, here Thursday.
The programme was graced by the Director Horticulture, Jammu, Jenab Gul Syed as the chief guest.
Among the distinguished dignitaries present were Prof. Vikas Tandon, Dean, Faculty of Horticulture and Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J); Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu, R.K. Kotwal; Professor Dr. Amit Jasrotia; Associate Professor Dr. Monika Reshi; DLSMS Jammu, Rakesh Kumar Bhagat; HDO Akhnoor, Sandeep Sharma; HDO Bhalwal, Ravinder Kumar; along with field staff of the respective zones.
While addressing the farmers, the Director delivered a comprehensive lecture emphasizing the importance of adopting modern horticulture practices, high-density plantation systems, integrated pest management and scientific orchard management to enhance productivity and increase farmers’ income. He urged the farming community to avail advantage of the benefits being provided under JKCIP for strengthening horticulture infrastructure and improving market linkages.
Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu, R.K. Kotwal also delivered a detailed lecture highlighting various departmental schemes, orchard rejuvenation practices and the significance of quality planting material. He encouraged farmers to maintain close coordination with field functionaries for better technical guidance and timely support.
Prof. Vikas Tandon, Dr. Amit Jasrotia and Dr. Monika Reshi elaborated on improved cultivation techniques, disease management practices and the importance of certified planting material. The experts also interacted with the farmers and addressed their queries in detail. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of farmers of the area, who appreciated the initiative of the Department in organizing such awareness and capacity-building programmes at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, another Farmers’ Training Programme under JKCIP was organised at Krishi Vigyan Kendra R.S. Pura.
The training programme was attended by distinguished dignitaries including DLSMS, Vishal Magotra, Dr. Muneeshwar Sharma, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Muneshwer Sharma, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) R.S. Pura, Dheeraj Sharma along with field staff of the Department.
During the programme, experts delivered detailed lectures on improved cultivation techniques, quality planting material, soil health management and effective implementation of government-sponsored schemes. Farmers actively participated in interactive sessions and sought technical guidance for improving productivity and income.