Una, July 24: The Horticulture Department, Una, has launched a campaign for the distribution and sale of fruit-bearing saplings during the monsoon season. Through Horticulture Development Officers stationed in various development blocks, the department is making improved varieties of fruit saplings available to farmers at government-fixed rates. Additionally, farmers are receiving technical guidance regarding scientific planting, care, and management of the saplings.
Deputy Director (Horticulture), Una, Dr. K.K. Bhardwaj stated that approximately 5,500 fruit saplings have been supplied so far from department-registered nurseries across all horticulture development blocks of the district. These include improved varieties of mango, litchi, Kinnow, Malta, Mosambi, lemon, Galgal, guava, pomegranate, amla (Indian gooseberry), papaya, karonda, and jackfruit, which farmers are planting in their fields.
He noted that the monsoon season is considered the most suitable time for planting fruit saplings. During this season, the chances of sapling survival are higher, and early growth is also better. He urged farmers wishing to establish new orchards to register their requirements with the concerned Horticulture Development Officer promptly so that the availability of saplings can be ensured according to demand.
Dr. Bhardwaj appealed to farmers to complete the planting of fruit saplings before August 15 to maximize the chances of successful establishment and ensure better future yields.
He mentioned that, considering the climate of Una district, improved varieties such as Mallika, Chausa, and Langra (mango); Allahabad Safeda, Lucknow-49, Shweta, and Lalit (guava); Dehradun (litchi); and Mosambi, Blood Red, and Jaffa (Malta group) could prove highly beneficial for farmers. The Deputy Director informed that a subsidy of up to 50 percent is being provided to farmers and orchardists for establishing orchards of fruit-bearing plants under the Integrated Horticulture Development Project. Interested farmers can avail the benefits of this scheme by submitting an application to the office of the Horticulture Development Officer of the respective development block after planting the saplings.