Jammu and Kashmir: Horticulture Department provides subsidies to farmers to boost fruit plantation in Poonch 

Speaking to ANI, Abdul Hameed, Officer, Horticulture department said identified beneficiaries get 50 per cent subsidy on fruit saplings.

“Different schemes under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) are provided to farmers. saplings of pecan nut, apple, apricot, and plum are being given to farmers on 50 per cent concession,” Hameed said.

“We are also working on the high-density plantations like apple and pecan nut have got a great scope of a plantation. Pecan nut grows in a huge quantity ranging from 50 kg to 1 quintal, from almost every tree, and the market rate for it is Rs 500 per kg,” he told the news agency.

While speaking to ANI, Mohammad Junaid, a farmer said, “I have come for the first time to the horticulture nursery to buy apple and plum saplings. I really thank the department for the subsidies.”

“I have bought fruit saplings from the nursery a number of times. I have apple, pecan nut, walnut, and plum trees on my farm which provided me with income even in the COVID-19 lockdown period. I have 350 trees out of which 100 are of pecan nut and 250 of apple. I really thank the department for providing us with subsidies and knowledge to grow the trees,” said Mohammad Hafeez, a farmer.