NAWANSHAHR: In a move to encourage the diversification of the crops among the peasantry, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar administration has set a target of enhancing area under horticulture crops by 150-acre in the ongoing year.
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Taking stock of the various peach, pear and plum farms in Balachaur sub-division, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa said that district has 1200-hectare area under horticulture currently and this would be increased by 150-acre this year as more farmers are opting the sector which is not only beneficial for them but for the state also.
He said that the state government led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is encouraging the farmers to adopt crop diversification so as to enhance their profitability besides to bring them out of wheat and paddy cycle. He said that the diversification of crops would not only maximize the profits of farmers but would also save the groundwater. He said that the increasing trend towards crop diversification is the need of the hour and the administration would leave no stone unturned to achieve this target.
The Deputy Commissioner said that administration would zealously carry out a massive sensitization drive among farmers on mission mode to promote crop diversification in the district. He said that plum, peach, mangoes, kinnow, lemon, lychee, peas, potatoes, chilli, cauliflower and others are main horticulture crops that are also sown in large quantities.
Further, NPS Randhawa said this year, the horticulture department would also distribute 4000 seed kits of vegetables among the people at the government's rate to promote kitchen gardening.
He exhorted the farmers to come forward and adopt horticulture to increase their income and save depleting groundwater.
Assistant Director Horticulture Dr. Jagdish Singh Kahma informed that Punjab government is offering 50% subsidy for setting up new orchards. He said that the best time to plant evergreen fruit trees is August-September and the suitable time to plant autumn fruit trees is December-January. He said that any farmer of the district, who wants to adopt horticulture, can contact the district head office or block level office.
Prominent among present on the occasion included Horticulture Development Officer Dr. Rajesh Kumar Balachaur and others.