Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Minister for Horticulture, Abdul Rehman Veeri today said the Government would exploit the huge potential of horticulture in Jammu division by bringing 1.68 lakh hectares of land under fruit and vegetable cultivation in a phased manner.
The Minister while reviewing the functioning of Horticulture Department at a meeting of officers here, said; “In an era of competitive market, quality control is a must and we have to focus on this vital area to maintain the credibility of State’s horticulture produce.”
The Minister laid special emphasis on promotion of protective cultivation in far flung areas of Jammu division to help farmers get returns during winter season also. He exhorted upon field functionaries to tap the huge horticulture potential available in the region and under the Area Expansion Programme bring more and more cultivable land under the high yielding plantation. He asked the field functionaries to strengthen the departmental nurseries to produce quality plant material so that farmers get the certified plant material at their doorstep.
Veeri urged functionaries of the department to be proactive and synergize their efforts and carry out frequent farm visits and submit tour dairies to the Administrative Department on monthly basis.
The Minister directed them for holding awareness camps at Panchayat level to disseminate information and share their experience and expertise with the farmers.
To overcome the deficiency of manpower in the department, the Minister said that vacancies would be filled on fast-track basis.
Earlier, the Minister was briefed about the activities of the department through a power point presentation.
The Minister called for close coordination between Horticulture department and Sheri-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) for the benefit of farmers.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Director Horticulture, Jammu, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing. Director Finance Agriculture, Chief Horticulture officers, District Horticulture officers, Subject matter experts, Horticulture Development officers and other concerned officers attended the meeting.
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