KATHUA: The Department of Horticulture Kathua organised a one day Exposure visit for a group of 25 Farmers/Fruit Growers of Billawar and Lohai Malhar blocks under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), here today. Chief Horticulture Officer Ashwani Sharma flagged off the Exposure Visit to the Centre of Excellence for Fruits, SKUAST-Jammu - Udheywalla, conducted under the direction of Director Horticulture Jammu C. L. Sharma.

The CHO interacted with the group of farmers and advised them to learn the latest horticulture techniques during the exposure visit and adopt the same in their fields for better returns.

During the Exposure visit, an Interactive Session was held for the visiting farmers which were chaired by Dean, Faculty of Horticulture and Forestry, SKUAST-J Prof. Vikas Tandon, alongside Division of Fruit Science Prof. Akash Sharma, and District Level -Subject Matter Specialist (Pomology) Kathua Sandeep Gupta,.

Prof. Tandon, while addressing the Farmers, briefed about the activities being taken up at COE, especially about the latest and elite cultivars of different Fruit plants being propagated at the centre. He further disclosed that the interested farmers can take these quality Fruit plants of high yielding varieties at genuine rates. Prof. Akash imparted in-depth knowledge about Scientific Orchard Management.

Sandeep Gupta while interacting with the participants, educated them about incentives available under various Schemes/Programs presently under implementation viz. HADP, JKCIP, MIDH, CAPEX and urged them to take maximum benefit from these Schemes/Programs.

A live demonstration about various propagation techniques was given to the Farmers during their visit to different Hi-tech Houses.

Sohan Lal Incharge HDO Billawar/Lohai Malhar accompanied the Farmers/Fruit Growers during the exposure visit.