Mission Director HADP-JKCIP inspects horticulture works in District Samba

SAMBA: Mission Director Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), Sandeep Kumar today conducted an extensive tour of District Samba to review the implementation of horticulture-related works under the flagship schemes of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

He was accompanied by Director Horticulture Jammu, Gul Sayed and Chief Horticulture Officer Samba Anil Kumar Gorka. During the visit, the Mission Director inspected different Horticulture sector projects established under HADP and JKCIP components, including a High-Tech Green House and Deep Borewell at Smailpur. He also interacted with the beneficiaries and reviewed the impact of these interventions on farmers’ livelihoods.

Later, the Mission Director visited the field of Baldev Raj, a progressive orchardist at Simbliwala, who has established a Mother Orchard of Dragon Fruit under HADP. He also inspected the Citrus Orchard at Chhan Samotra, Ghagwal, developed under JKCIP and emphasized the importance of efficient water management in Kandi areas. He urged the farming community to take maximum benefit of the flagship schemes of the J&K Government under HADP and JKCIP for sustainable horticultural growth.

Director Horticulture Jammu, Gul Sayed stressed upon farmers to adopt modern horticultural techniques and avail incentives available under HADP, JKCIP and UT CAPEX schemes. He encouraged them to diversify towards strawberry and dragon fruit cultivation for better returns. Chief Horticulture Officer, Anil Kumar Gorka  presented an overview of the ongoing departmental activities in the district. R.R. Sharma, District Level Subject Matter Specialist and Rakesh Kumar, HDO, were also present during the visit.