The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the farmers organised by the Department of Horticulture Jammu at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, here. He was the chief guest occasion and MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta was the guest of honour.

Director Horticulture Jammu Gul Syed, Director Rural Development Jammu Shanaz Akhter, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu Sanjay Gupta, senior officers of the Horticulture Department and allied departments besides farmers attended the programme.

The interaction provided a direct platform to the farmers to share their concerns, difficulties and suggestions regarding the horticulture sector. The farmers highlighted issues related to incentives, availability of quality planting material, market support and measures required to improve production, productivity and profitability.

Responding to the concerns, Javid Dar assured the farmers that their genuine issues would be examined and addressed through coordinated interventions. He stressed that the department must maintain continuous engagement with the farming community so that policies and schemes are aligned with the ground realities and emerging needs.

On the occasion, Javid Dar released the Handbook of the Department of Horticulture Jammu, a practical reference document for farmers containing information on modern horticultural practices, departmental schemes, technologies and other farmer-oriented interventions. He also distributed sanction letters under various components of different Horticulture schemes among the eligible beneficiaries.

In another farmer-oriented initiative, the Minister flagged off buses carrying farmers for an educational and exposure visit to Government Fruit Plant Nurseries in Jammu and Samba. The visit is aimed at providing the farmers with practical exposure to modern nursery management, quality planting material, scientific fruit production and advanced horticultural technologies.

As part of the exposure programme, the farmers will also visit Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samba, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu, SKUAST-Jammu and Chakroi Farm, where they will observe field demonstrations, modern technologies and best practices that can be replicated at the farm level.

The Minister subsequently chaired a meeting of the Department of Horticulture Jammu and reviewed implementation of various schemes, programmes and farmer-oriented interventions.

The Minister directed the officers to intensify enforcement against the sale and distribution of fake and spurious pesticides and ensure stringent quality control in the market. He called for regular inspections and effective monitoring mechanisms to safeguard farmers from substandard agricultural inputs and protect horticultural production.

The Minister said that development of a robust nursery infrastructure and timely supply of healthy planting material would be crucial for improving productivity and accelerating the expansion of modern horticulture in Jammu division.

Director Horticulture Jammu Gul Syed informed that the department is undertaking various interventions aimed at improving the production, productivity and quality of horticultural produce with emphasis on modern technologies and high-density plantation. He also apprised the Minister of the support being extended to farmers under different departmental schemes.