JAMMU: Mission Director (MIDH & PMDP), (Director Horticulture Kashmir) Ghulam Rasool Mir, accompanied by Director Horticulture Jammu Ram Sevak, today visited the Centre of Excellence for Fruits at ACHR, Udhaywala and Government Fruit Plant Nursery, Chakrohi, R.S.Pura.
The Mission Director conducted detailed inspection on all the components of the Centre of Excellence and appreciated the work done at the centre. He advised that the pending works on establishments of Labs may also be expedited so that the facility is made fully functional. He stressed that regular training of the staff working at the centre in other institutes of repute is very important so that the facilities developed are utilized to the best possible ways. Sh. Ram Savak, Director Horticulture Jammu also expressed hope that the centre is coming up to the satisfaction of all. However, he also asked the Company to complete the pending works as the centre is to be inaugurated soon.
Dr. Vikas Tandon, PI of the centre briefed about the functioning of centre and future plans. He said that under the guidance and regular monitoring of Prof. J.P.Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu, the state of art facility is coming up for the fruit growers of Jammu region. He said that the demonstration orchards have started bearing and quality planting material has also been produced that shall be given to progressive orchardists of the region.
Later, both the Directors visited the Govt Fruit Plant Nursery, Chakrohi, R.S.Pura spread over an area of 805 kanal.
The Mission Director inspected the mother orchards of Mango, Guava, Citrus fruit plants and the established as well as under construction protected cultivation structures viz: Hi-tech poly houses, Screen houses, Insect-proof net houses, Naturally ventilated poly houses & Shade net houses. He also inspected the installation of a micro-irrigation system for irrigating the mother plants.
In charge, Fruit Plant Nursery, Vijay Angurana briefed the Mission Director about the developmental works going on for the development of Mega Fruit Plant Nursery Chakrohi. He informed that under the guidance and regular monitoring of Director Horticulture Jammu, the nursery is being developed with latest technologies and state of the art facilities for production of quality true to type fruit plants of Mango, Citrus, Guava, Litchi, Dragon fruit and other Niche plants to meet out the requirement of planting material for the farmers/ beneficiaries of the UT envisioned in the new horticulture policy.
The Mission Director appreciated the work being done in order to establish Mega Fruit Plant Nursery, Chakrohi in a small span of time. He said that this facility can prove to be a turning point in the production of planting material of Sub-tropical fruit plants.

KR Desk