Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma today asked the Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers to develop nurseries and orchards on vacant government land for the tap the huge horticulture potential.

The Div Com issued these directions while chairing a meeting of Deputy Commissioners of Jammu division to review the Horticulture plan of the districts.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director Horticulture, Dig Vijay, Deputy Director Planning Chaman Lal, Horticulture Development Officer, Perminder Singh, ACR Jammu, Vijay Sharma and other concerned officers, while Deputy Commissioners along with other concerned officers participated in the meeting through video conference.

 A threadbare discussion was held regarding horticulture plan formulated by the districts for the development of horticulture sector.

 The Div Com directed the DCs for area expansion, maintenance and development of nurseries. He also asked for developing water sources, Ponds, bells for augmentation of irrigation facilities.

Calling for providing better market to the fruit growers, the Div Com stressed on opening up of sale points at potential places in each district.  He also passed directions for establishment of fruit mandis (procurement centres) in   the districts.

Saying that there is tremendous potential for development of the horticulture sector, he underlined the need to pay focused attention for harnessing available potential through scaling up ongoing interventions.

The Div Com directed concerned officers for opening of demonstration centres for farmers in the districts. He also asked them to impart training to the farmers in latest cultivation techniques.

Meanwhile, the Div Com also inquired about encroached and retrieved government land in the districts of the division.