CHIEF MINISTER Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the farmers would be encouraged to take up horticulture crops on a vast area and double the production and productivity of horticulture crops in coming five years. He was launching the Madhya Pradesh Horticulture Mission at the Academy of Administration here today.
The Mission would double the production and productivity of selected horticulture corps in 20 districts which include Bhopal, Betul, Hoshangabad, Sagar, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Ujjain, Shajapur, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dewas, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua, Khargone, Khandwa, Mandla, Dindori, Burhanpur and Badwani. Major horticulture crops for which these districts are known
include garlic, coriander, orange, chili, banana, mango, amla and flowers.
The Chief Minister said that the farmers suffered huge losses due to delayed supply of fertilisers. They needed financial support to come out of the crisis in agriculture. The food processing could be the best option to improve financial condition of farmers. The micro food-processing units needed promotion with active participation of farmers, he added.
Stressing the need for practice of traditional knowledge and application of modern farm technologies for the benefit of farmers, the chief Minister said that the use of information technology in farm sector would be increased while promoting bio-farming and water conservation initiatives. He also released a Horticulture Guide.
Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandrabhan Singh said that horticulture crop would be taken in about 26 lakh hectares while only six-lakh hectare is being cultivated in the State. The Horticulture Mission activities would enable and encourage farmers increase the area under horticulture corps, he added.
{{/usCountry}}Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandrabhan Singh said that horticulture crop would be taken in about 26 lakh hectares while only six-lakh hectare is being cultivated in the State. The Horticulture Mission activities would enable and encourage farmers increase the area under horticulture corps, he added.
{{/usCountry}}Chairman of the Mission and Agriculture Production Commissioner, Iqbal Ahmed, said that horticulture would be fully promoted and the field staff associated with the mission would guide the farmers. Secretary Food Processing and Horticulture J N Kansotia also spoke on the occasion. Farmers from various districts were present.