Budgam, Nov 15: Due to the non-availability of irrigation facilities for apple orchards, the Horticulture Department in Budgam has provided 41 deep borewells to the growers during this year for the upliftment of the sector across the district.
Chief Horticulture Officer Budgam, Dr Muhammad Iqbal Baba, told Rising Kashmir that under the Centrally-sponsored scheme PMDP, 18 deep borewells have been given to the apple growers; and in the UT scheme, 23 deep borewells have been provided to them where there was a shortage of water facilities so that they can irrigate their orchards on time, which is a vital requirement for fruit trees.
The officer said that under the UT scheme, one walnut nursery, six tractors, 27 power tillers, 40 self-propelled machinery items, and power-operated sprayers were provided to farmers.
“Under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), 25 vermicompost units, 50 pack houses, 10 tractors, 78 power tillers, and 300 motor-powered sprayers have been provided to farmers this year so that they can get benefits as per the prescribed norms of the respective schemes in the district,” Baba informed.
