BHADERWAH: The Department of Horticulture Doda organised a sensitisation, awareness and women farmers’ training programme at Bhaderwah under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP).
The event focused on strengthening horticulture activities, promoting modern orchard management and enhancing income opportunities for farming communities.
The programme was attended by Member Legislative Assembly Bhaderwah Daleep Singh Parihar as the chief guest, while ADC Sunil Kumar Bhutyal was the guest of honour.
Chief Horticulture Officer R. N. Upadhyay, DLSMS Asif Bodha and Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) Rohan Kumar were also present.
The training programme primarily focused on value addition of fruits and vegetables, with special emphasis on processing and post-harvest management to help farmers enhance the economic value of their produce. The participants were also sensitised about crop management and expansion, nursery development, Agriculture Service Centres, solar fencing, entrepreneur-led orchard management and efficient water management.
The HDO delivered awareness-based lectures on modern horticultural practices, while a technical session was also conducted at the workshop of MCC Bhaderwah, providing participants with practical knowledge related to processing and value addition.
A significant number of farmers, particularly women farmers, participated enthusiastically in the programme and interacted with the experts to gain knowledge about improved horticultural practices and livelihood-oriented opportunities.
The officials highlighted the need for farmers to adopt modern technologies, scientific orchard management and value-addition practices for improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses and generating additional sources of income.
The speakers emphasised that empowering women farmers with technical knowledge, skill development and market-oriented practices can play a vital role in strengthening the horticulture sector and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in the region.
