SRINAGAR: Director Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, on Tuesday visited IGC, Lassipora Pulwama to inspect various Post Harvest units including C.A.Stores. He was accompanied by Deputy Director Horticulture, Chief Horticulture officer, Pulwama, Chief Canning and Processing Instructor and other senior officers.
During the visit, Director Horticulture took stock of the functioning of these units. During the interaction with the stakeholders, Director Horticulture advised the Unit holders to help the orchardists by way of providing excellent services and charging reasonable rates.
Director Horticulture inspected various developmental works viz pack houses, vermi compost units, tube/bore wells etc. He also took a detailed review of high density plantation programme in the district. Progress of developmental works viz budded /grafted root stock was also reviewed and instructions were issued to grow the root stock as per SOP and develop the nurseries on modern lines.
Emphasis was laid on propagation of quality planting material and introduction of new high yielding varieties of different cultivators. Director Horticulture passed instructions to hold awareness camps for providing technical knowhow to growers on different aspects of fruit growers. Further instructions were given that spraying of HMO and Pesticides should be strictly as per the recommendations of SKUAST Kashmir/Department of Horticulture as per advisory issued by the Department of Horticulture.
Later Director visited orchards effected by porcupine damages and issued necessary instructions to Chief Horticulture officer and concerned field staff for preventive measures to stop this menace.

KR Desk