Srinagar: A divisional -level orientation-cum-training programme titled ‘Production of designer plants for promotion of high density plantation and rejuvenation of orchids’ was held at the Directorate of Agriculture Lalmandi here. The programme was jointly inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir and Director Horticulture Kashmir.
The training programme was attended by Deputy Director Horticulture Shafeeqa Khalid, HOD Fruit Science SKUAST-K professor Dr. S.A Simnani, Chief Horticulture Officers of Kashmir division, and district resource personal from the department of horticulture Kashmir and KYKs.
Addressing the inaugural session Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal said that the 29 projects approved under the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors will be a game changer in the overall agriculture scenario of the region. He said the projects have been designed in consonance with the available resources, opportunities, technological interventions and desirable targets.
Speaking to the participants of the orientation cum training programme, Director Horticulture Kashmir G.R Mir (JKAS) marked the importance of self sufficiency in quality plant material. “Under the holistic development programme, we have to endeavor not only to become self sufficient in quality plant material but also to explore the opportunities for export of plant material to other fruit growing countries of the world,” he said.
The Director Horticulture said that 390 hectares of area is to be covered under production of designer plantation with 429 crores of budget and this will help produce planting material to cover 5500 hectares under HDP of 12 fruit crops during the next five years. He said that 2000 hectares of orchards will also be rejuvenated under the programme.
He highlighted the importance of capacity building of stake holders in the form of national and international trainings. He said that with the implementation of approved projects under holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors the economic potential of horticulture sector will raise from 10000 crore to 15000 crore and it will increase the farmer’s income by 1 lakh rupees per kanal. He said the effective implementation of the programmes will also generate employment opportunities for the young farmers and other stake holders.
Later on, threadbare discussions were held on the implementation of the projects under holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors wherein stake holders provided feed backs and suggestions on various aspects of the programmes.
On the occasion, the Director Horticulture said that district level trainings will also be held for which the schedule has already been issued.

KR Desk