The Horticulture Department, Leh, organized a one-day exposure tour for around 100 farmers from Thiksey, Stakna, and nearby villages on March 20 to promote modern horticulture practices.

Executive Councillor for Horticulture, Ghulam Mehdi, and Councillor Thiksey Constituency, Stanzin Chosphel, flagged off the tour in the presence of Chief Horticulture Officer, Kunzang Wangmo, and Horticulture Development Officer, Dr. Sonam Dawa.

The farmers visited the Model Orchard cum Nursery Saspol (MOCN), where they observed the cultivation of various fruits, including apricots, apples, GI-tagged Apricot Raktsey Karpo, and strawberries grown in greenhouses. They also toured the Centre of Excellence for Seabuckthorn in Nimmo, learning about scientific seabuckthorn cultivation. The visit concluded at the Fruit Processing Unit in Nimmo, where Dr. Stanzin Angmo, In-charge Nursery, guided them through fruit processing and value-added product development.

The farmers expressed gratitude to the Chief Horticulture Officer and department staff for organizing an insightful and well-arranged tour. The initiative aims to enhance farmers' knowledge and encourage the adoption of improved horticultural practices for better productivity and economic growth.