DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Today, the first meeting to review the ongoing activities in the State Horticulture Department under the chairmanship of Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Minister of Horticulture, Freedom Soldier Services and Welfare and Food Processing, Punjab, was held at Chandigarh .Mr. Rahul Tiwari, IAS, Administrative Secretary of the Department,Gagandeep Brar, IAS Secretary Horticulture, Punjab and Ms. Shailinder Kaur, IFS, Director Horticulture, Punjab were amongst the officials who attended this meeting. The minister discussed the ongoing farmer welfare schemes in the department. The minister emphasized that the government is trying to raise the level of horticulture in the state and that horticulture welfare schemes should be publicized through print media so that farmers can be encouraged to adopt agricultural diversification. In this regard, Director Horticulture, Punjab apprised the Minister about the infrastructure of the department and the unique initiatives undertaken/being undertaken. The Minister appreciated the ongoing projects in the department and directed to take necessary action to implement the new projects as well. Jauramajra directed the Director Horticulture, Punjab to prepare new farmer welfare schemes related to horticulture to help raise the economic level of the farmers. Apart from this, the minister instructed the officials to conduct maximum field visits at the block and district level so that the department can have direct contact with the farmers. (editor@dailyworld.in)