Director Horticulture Jammu Bhawani Rakwal, today conducted extensive tour of Sungal and Malla Barode villages of Akhnoor tehsil and inspected activities taken up in the twin Mango villages being established by the Department of Horticulture in the area.The department has set a target of covering an area of 100 hectares in each village over a span of four years.In the first phase, 25 Ha area has been covered in each village during the current rainy season by planting 5000 mango plants involving over 50 beneficiaries. They have been provided quality planting material comprising different varieties of mango viz: Dushehari, Amrapali, Mallika procured from different departmental nurseries.The Director inspected the mango plantation at both the villages and directed the field functionaries to disseminate best practices to the orchardists for better management. He stressed on regular field visits of the area to ensure success of the plantation. He interacted with the farmers of both the villages and listened to their problems and asked the concerned officers to resolve their issues on priority.The Director also visited Nai Basti and adjoining area of Akhnoor block and inspected various components such as Vermicompost units, On farm handling units, Borewells, Sprinkler irrigation systems, etc. being established under various departmental schemes.Apart from this, he also inspected INM/IPM practices being adopted by the farmers in their orchards under the technical guidance of the departmental field functionaries.Deputy Director Horticulture (Central) Rajeev Mahajan, Chief Horticulture Officer Jammu Y. K. Kesar and other officers of the department accompanied the Director during the tour.