Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, Dansal, has completed the plantation and distribution of 5,600 Harad (Terminalia chebula) saplings under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Project P-5 – Promotion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP), giving a boost to medicinal plant cultivation and sustainable agriculture.
The mission-mode drive was undertaken to restore Harad plantations damaged by adverse climatic conditions last year. Fresh, healthy saplings were supplied to beneficiary farmers to bridge plantation gaps and ensure optimum plant population, strengthening the MAP initiative.
The programme was carried out under the leadership of Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) Dansal Ashwani Gupta, following directions from Director of Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta, conveyed through Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu Manohar Lal Sharma and DAO (Extension) Jammu Vinod Khajuria.
Of the 5,600 saplings, 2,750 each were distributed in the Nagrota and Dansal blocks for plantation on farmers' fields. The saplings, measuring 2.5 to 3 feet in height, were supplied to ensure better establishment and healthy early growth.
To ensure scientific plantation, Nodal Officer MAP Scheme and SMS (SDL) Pranav Chadha provided technical guidance on site selection, pit preparation, spacing, nutrient management, plantation techniques and aftercare. Farmers were also advised on irrigation, mulching, staking, protection from stray animals and regular monitoring to improve plant survival.
As part of the initiative, 82 registered beneficiary farmers received vermicompost bags and plant protection chemical units to support healthy establishment of the plantations. Beneficiary farmers welcomed the timely supply of quality planting material and essential inputs, and appreciated the close supervision of the SDAO in ensuring successful execution of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the SDAO praised the coordinated efforts of the field staff in completing the plantation drive within the stipulated timeframe. He said the promotion of medicinal plants like Harad would play a significant role in farm diversification, increasing farmers' income, environmental conservation and the promotion of sustainable agriculture in the region.
