Fruit Growers’ awareness Camp organised at Patyari Sumb

SAMBA, JULY 05: An awareness camp for fruit growers was organised today here at Block Head Quarter Sumb by the Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing in collaboration with Block Development Officer Sumb.

Balwan Singh, Vice Chairman District Development Council(DDC) was the chief Guest. Sachin Bali, Chairman BDC Sumb Romesh Singh;  Rupali BDO Sumb; Anuj Verma AGMO Samba; Dr. Neerja Senior Scientist KVK Samba; Tehsin Chib, AD G&P; Neha Dubey Coordinator NRLM for Samba, Jammu; Ashwani Sharma DLSMS Samba; Charan Kamal Singh, Technical PA; Sarpanch Suraj Parkash Verma, Sarpanch Deepmala, Sarpanch Sardar Singh, Jagdev Singh, Mohammad Sheikh, Mamta Panches, besides Inderjit Singh progressive grower from Gurah Slathia and a number of female Mango Growers were present on the occasion.

In his address, Vice Chairman DDC Balwan Singh, asked growers/ farmers to shift to multi cropping and diversification in place of traditional crops. He asked them to plant hybrid fruit trees of Mango, Malta, Mosambi, Litchi, Yam, Spota, Dragon fruits to enhance their income. He advised them to form their groups, which will not only provide them all requisite inputs but also give them bargaining power while selling their produce in the market. Only then, the dream of the Prime Minister of India of doubling farmers’ income will be fulfilled.

The BDO appreciated efforts put in by the Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing in organising the programs for growers of remote & far off places of Samba district.

AGMO, Anuj Verma advised the Mango growers to sel their produce in multiple markets like Batote, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Kashmir Valley to get good rates.

He exhorted growers and rural women to undertake food processing and value addition of their produce, for it being highly perishable. He cited the recent example of producing Amchur out of more than 5 MTs of fallen mangoes by SHG members and rural processors, which is being sold at a price between ?260 to ?400 per kg. He said a number of rural agri entrepreneurs are undertaking processing of Mangoes, Amla, Curry leaves powder, and mushrooms are earning high returns.

The AGMO Samba informed that the department has made two groups of female and male farmers of Sumb block, who shall be given special attention for their overall growth with regard to agriculture, agriculture marketing and value addition.

Dr Neerja Sharma Senior Scientist KVK Samba asked female farmers  of block Sumb  to use their idle time in food processing which will not only enhance their income but also earn more respect & dignity in the society.

Tehsin Chib, AD G&P also addressed the gathering and asked growers to make Sumb Brand of their produce and go for multi cropping. Chib also asked the SHG members to take advantage of the PMFME ODOP scheme and set up their start ups.

Romesh Singh Chairman BDC Sumb, Ashwani Sharma DLSMS Samba, Sarpanch Suraj Parkash Verma, Progressive grower from Gurah Slathia Inderjit Singh also spoke on the occasion.