SHIMLA: The horticulture sector is reeling under severe drought-like conditions for the last few weeks as there is no signs of rains or snow since October last. 

Due to delay in rain and snow, the drought like situation is being witnessed in the State. 

The district level offices of the department have been issued funds to the tune of rupees one crore to deal with any such eventuality.

The amount will be used to aid necessary materials such as plants, water tanks, pipes, medicines and micro-organisms to the farmers and horticulturists, after assessing the value of the loss, if any, said he.

The department has also issued necessary guidelines in this regard.

The orchardists are advised to completely stop pruning of fruit bearing trees till the rains so that further losses can be avoided, he said.

He said that this was the right time to plant temperate fruits.

Those orchardists who have small fields, should plant fruit plants at a proper distance in the middle of these fields and keep the slope inside so that rain water is used properly and soil erosion could be reduced, he added.