(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
DG Horticulture visits snow hit orchards of Shopian, Pulwama
SRINAGAR- Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, acting swiftly towards tackling emergent situation arisen due to untimely snowfall in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, deputed Director General, Horticulture, Kashmir, to South Kashmir, the worst hit part of the Valley, for personal monitoring of loss assessment there.
Advisor asked the DG to deploy requisite field staff in South Kashmir's snowstorm affected apple orchards to assess the damage caused to trees and fruits there furnishing the report and recommendations in this regard at the earliest.
DG has been directed to personally visit the affected areas and depute the staff for damage assessment in other areas also which have been affected by the untimely heavy snowfall in the Valley.
Advisor Khan also asked the Principal Secretary, Horticulture, to ensure regular monitoring of the whole exercise besides extending all possible support to the affected orchardists.
Meanwhile, the Director General (DG) Horticulture, Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat conducted an extensive tour of various places of district Pulwama and Shopian.
During the tour, the DG visited various orchards particularly those located at the most affected areas of district Shopian viz. Zawora, Badrihama, Pinjora, Aglar, Balpora, Kanipora, Ganapora, Shirmal, Keegam, Kellar etc.
The DG expressed his sympathy with the affected orchardists and assured them of all possible help. He advised the farmers to continuously monitor their orchards and shake the trees regularly, so that the snow does not accumulate on the trees.
He instructed the field functionaries to closely monitor the situation and be on guard in view of the incessant rain and snowfall. He further directed the field functionaries to assess the losses and report accordingly.
As per initial reports, approximately 10 percent of damage has been reported from snowfall affected areas till today evening.
Meanwhile, the Department of Horticulture Kashmir had already issued the weather advisory following the weather predictions made by the MET Department.
For the convenience of orchardists, a helpline No. 0194-2311484 has been established at the Directorate of Horticulture, Kashmir.
The DG was accompanied by Joint Director Horticulture, Kashmir and concerned Chief Horticulture officers along with field functionaries.
Impact Of Prevailing Weather Conditions On Agri Sector Reviewed Amid fluctuating and unpredictable weather conditions, the Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal Saturday asked all the Chief Agriculture Officers of the Division to ensure that all the necessary measures are taken to educate the farmers regarding various steps to be adopted while dealing with the present weather situation.
Speaking during an emergency meeting with the Joint Directors and Chief Agriculture officers of Kashmir Division to review the impact of prevailing weather conditions on the Agriculture sector, the Director said farmers need moral support in addition to technical guidance under prevailing conditions in order to tackle the situation that emerged from the present scenario.
He asked the officers to assess the situation and maintain digital records of the impact of the present weather scenario on the agriculture sector. He also highlighted the importance of devising a strategy vis-à-vis the upcoming rabi season so that the losses caused due to recent rainfall/snowfall could be compensated to some extent.
The Director asked the officers to mobilize the field staff for on-farm training programmes for farmers and special impetus should be given to weather oriented situation management. The farmers should be well equipped with adequate technologies with respect to cope up with the scenario emerging out of unprecedented weather conditions, he added.
The Director called upon the officers to work with close coordination with the allied department so that the farmers interests could be served under all circumstances.
The Director also took stock on physical/ financial progress report under Capex/CSS, status of registration of BeeKeepers on Madhukranti Portal, Survey Report Status, PM Kisaan, KCC, KMY, Soil Health Card scheme status, procurement of Paddy/ Potato from Seed Villages and status on PMFBY.
Deliberating upon the officers, the Director instructed that field functionaries should be kept on the move and make one to one contact with the farmers.
The meeting was attended by Joint Director Agriculture Inputs Farooq Ahmad Shah, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Sheikh Shahid Iqbal, Joint Director Farms Dr. Syed Waseem Ahmad Shah, Joint Director Engineering M. I Khateeb, Joint Director Apiculture and Mushrooms M. Syed Peer, besides all Chief Agriculture Officers of Kashmir Division and other Senior officers of the department.
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