Leh, March 6: The Department of Horticulture, Leh held a one-day farmers training programme under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme at Agling. More than 500 farmers from Hemis, Martselang and Matho villages took part in the training.

Speaking at the event, Chief Horticulture Officer, Leh, Tsewang Punchok raised awareness among farmers on the different schemes implemented by the Department for their welfare. He also distributed horticulture tools to the farmers.

Scientist, DIHAR, Dr Tsering Stobdan, requested the farmers to carry out systematic plantation of fruits and vegetables to earn more money. He also asked the farmers to focus on the cultivation of different types of vegetables in protected cultivation such as greenhouses to earn a living throughout the year.

Horticulture Development Officer, Leh, Kunzang Angmo, requested the farmers to avail the benefits of different schemes of the Horticulture Department. The farmers were also given an exposure tour to the DIHAR Station to make them aware of the latest technologies and methods of cultivation and the activities carried out at the research institute in greenhouses and open field conditions.