Shopian, May 15: Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand on Thursday visited Shopian to review ongoing horticulture development works and assess the implementation of various government-supported schemes in the district.
During the extensive tour, the Director reviewed horticulture activities across several areas and interacted with orchardists and departmental field staff to assess progress on developmental initiatives.
A meeting with the orchardist community was also held during the visit, where growers apprised the Director of various issues and concerns related to the horticulture sector. The Director discussed developmental priorities with the stakeholders and assured them of continued support for strengthening horticulture infrastructure and improving productivity in the district.
Addressing departmental field staff, Vikas Anand stressed the importance of regular field visits to provide technical guidance to farmers and directed officials to ensure timely completion of all departmental schemes.
As part of the visit, the Director inspected a Hi-Tech Poly House established under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) at Zawoora in Shopian. He reviewed its functioning and emphasized the role of protected cultivation in enhancing farmers’ income and promoting modern horticulture practices in the region.
The Director also inspected a five-kanal apple area expansion site at Shirmal developed under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP). Officials briefed him on the progress of the programme and implementation status at the site.
In another major development, the Director kick-started plantation work on a 10-kanal site at Ganawpora Balpora under the High Density Plantation Scheme. The project is being established by M/s Golden Agrisense in favour of beneficiary Mst. Tasleema Akhter, wife of Mohd Shafi Tak, and is aimed at promoting modern high-density orcharding practices in the district.
Officials said the initiative marks a significant step toward modernization of orchards in Shopian, one of Kashmir’s major apple-producing districts.
The Director was accompanied during the visit by Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama, Chief Horticulture Officer Shopian, District Level SMS Shopian and the Horticulture Development Officer Shopian.
