Early Times Report
POONCH, Feb 27: ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) Srinagar organized a programme in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Poonch of SKUAST-J in which Institute distributed planting material and kits to 100 tribal farmers of Poonch district. In the beginning of the programme, Dr Ajay Gupta Sr Scientist & Head, KVK Poonch welcomed Dr. O.C Sharma and other scientists from CITH and informed the farmers that CITH is a premier Institute in the field of Horticulture. He explained that the programme was organized by CITH under Tribal Sub Plan for the tribal farmers of Poonch district. He highlighted the importance of Horticulture crops and gave emphasis for growing more fruit plants for enhancing farmer's income. Dr. O.C Sharma, Principal Scientist, CITH explained the broad objectives of the programme and also explained the production techniques of temperate horticultural crops especially fruits and vegetable crops. He also explained about the mandates of CITH and informed the farmers that CITH has collection of more than 2500 varieties of horticultural crops. He stressed the need for quality planting material and timely management viz. pruning in fruit crops for maximum production and returns. Dr Muzaffar Mir, SMS fruit Science deliberated on the importance of pecan crop in Poonch district. He elaborated that climatic conditions of Poonch are favourable for cultivation of variety of fruits. Dr Muneer Ahmed Sheikh, scientist CITH emphasized the role of distributed kit and its use in their farm. A Farmer Scientist Interaction was also organized on this occasion in which the scientists from CITH and KVK Poonch replied to various problems faced by the farmers in Horticulture and Agriculture crops. On this occasion, planting material of apple, almond, nectrin and plum, seed kit of vegetables, tool kit consisting of spade, sickle, scissor, rake etc was also distributed by CITH to 100 tribal farmers of the district. |
