Kathua horticulture director encourages farmers to grow seasonal fruits

Kathua: A one-day training camp on fruit and vegetable conservation was organized in Kathua at the Capacity Development Camp on Friday. The Director of Horticulture, Jammu, interacted with horticulture farmers, aiming to chalk out an approach for the forthcoming rainy season. How and what to do for setting up new orchards for fruit crops such as dragon fruit, avocado, kiwi, grapes, citrus fruits, and so on. Over 150 farmers were also present in the camp.

The farmers raised a wide range of issues, like machinery for modern farming, harvesting structure, and setting up nurseries so that they can get saplings easily. A decent market, establishment of cold storages for keeping perishable items for several days, arrangement of solar fencing to check wild animals, and organization of awareness camps on a regular basis.

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Later, the director unveiled the Processing Hall in the complex of Manager cum Chemist, Extension Center for Fruit and Vegetables Preservation. He also interacted with the women who participated in this training camp. He asked them to get training in how to preserve fruit & vegetables. He assured them that the department is ready to establish micro food processing units for the value addition of fruit and vegetable products, providing them employment as well as boosting their incomes.

He inspired the horticulture farmers to establish processing units, form self-help groups, establish grading and packaging units, and construct deep borewells for water. The director stressed organizing Kissan Goshtis at different places so that the department’s schemes can be properly implemented.