UDHAMPUR: A day long farmers’ awareness programme was organized by the Department of Horticulture Udhampur, here at village Kalsote Block Moungri of District Udhampur.
Member Legislative Assembly Udhampur West, Pawan Kumar Gupta was the chief guest while Chief Horticulture Officer Brij Vallabh Gupta presided over the programme.
As many as 300 farmers from adjoining areas participated in the camp.
The Chief Horticulture Officer, while welcoming the chief guest and other dignitaries, briefed about the various developmental schemes and projects being undertaken under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme. He advised the Farmers to adopt walnut cultivation under the Revised Modified High Density Scheme.
While addressing the gathering, the MLA encouraged the farmers to avail benefits of various schemes and initiatives of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department. He also recommended the farmers to adopt High Density plantation of walnut and apples in addition to practicing protected cultivation for vegetables. The two practices would provide the best means to raise the farmer’s livelihood and income. Further, he suggested the farmers to focus on area-specific crops for Horticulture-based self employment generation.
The MLA also listened to the grievances of the inhabitants of Block-Moungri and issued necessary instructions to Jal Shakti Department, PDD , PWD, PMGSY, Education, Rural Development Department, Revenue etc, for their time bound redressal. He also directed the departments to work with utmost zeal for the welfare of inhabitants of remote areas.
Later, the MLA distributed seed kits, as well as power tillers among the eligible farmers. He also inspected the stalls set up by various departments.
Among others, Chief Agriculture Officer, Tehsildar Moungri, District Horticulture Officer, Sub divisional Agriculture Officer, Block Development Officer and other officers and officials of concerned departments participated in the camp.