Amit Sharma ,Poonch : Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Poonch Mr. Ajaz Ahmed Jan inaugurated a “District Level Fruit Show-cum-awareness Seminar” at District Headquarters Poonch who attended the function as Chief Guest , today. Function was organized by Horticulture Deptt. Under Technology Mission Scheme.
As many as 25 stalls of allied sectors were setup demonstrating quality of fruits and their species production, fisheries, agricultural crops, animals & sheep Husbandry potential, sericulture and promotion of other allied sectors by concerted efforts Govt. functionaries in coordination with progressive farmers.
Addl. DIstt. Dev. Commissioner Syed Anwar Hussain Shah, joint Director Horticulture Mr. Sonam Narbo attended as guests of honour where as chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Distt. Horticulture Officer, other Distt. Officers of allied sectors, sarpanchs, Panchs and large no progressive farmers participated in the function.
MLA in his address lauded the efforts of horticulture officers for conduct of such awareness shows which give an enthusiasm to farmers to apply more scientific methods in their fields. He said farmer community live in villages therefore such awareness shows be conducted in each block of Distt. Farmers have been motivated rather inclined to advantage of modern technology for yielding maximum crops by applying high bred seeds plus fertilizers. Close coordination of Horticulture officers and farmers is necessary for promotion of the sector as large section of farmers earn their livelihood from this sector. He further announced that efforts are on to construct a cold storage plant and fruit processing units in Poonch with object to give boost to this sector on large scale.
Chief Horticulture Officer Mr. R.K. Koul gave a resume of achievements of activities being performed by H/deptt. in Poonch. He said Distt. Is divided into 11 zones and each zone is headed by a Horticulture Dev. Officer to impart technical knowhow to farmers for growth of their orchards. Presently 16589 hectares have been brought under orchards out of potential 20000 hectares orchard area in the distt. As many as 38383 M.T fruit production has been recorded during current year which include 26275 M.T dry fruits and 12108 M.T fresh fruits. During current financial year more 334 hectares are being covered under fruit plantation Chief Horticulture Officer added.
Sarpanchs and progressive farmers also spoke on the occasion expressing their experience in yielding fruit crops of different species. Prizes of Rs 7100 for best adjudged fruit production and prizes of Rs 5500 was distributed among progressive farmers to enhance their morale on spot.