Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said there should be a critical evaluation of research and extension activities and priority should be given to identify gaps in research and development,
Presiding over the 32nd foundation day of the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, he said it was necessary to learn new techniques in research and extension from other countries as America, Sweden, New-zealand and few countries of Europe, which were known for its agro-economy.
"A plan was required for practising the renewal techniques of the orchards and the replacement of new plants with the old ones," he said, adding that the scientists should after achieving training in renewal technique disseminate the technology to farmers so that the productivity of fruits and vegetables could be enhanced.
The marketing concept needed to be digital, said the Chief Minister adding that all the marketing yards would be made online in the State at the earliest and the government would also promote opening of cold stores both in public-private sectors. He said that Government of India had also selected few sites in the State for setting up cold stores for fruits and vegetables.
The Chief Minister said that the farmers can learn new techniques from online concept, the latest rates of the market and the right time to sell their produce. He said that more practical demonstrations and more seminars were required to be conducted where deliberations and research could be discussed with the farmers and new technology introduced and taken to the farms.
He said that the Government was considering to increase the water intake capacity for the University and the Irrigation and Public Health department would be directed to take necessary measures for lifting water to facilitate the university and so as to overcome the problem.
Virbhadra Singh said earlier annually 85000 tress were marked for packaging of apples in State and was the time when he imposed complete ban on felling trees. Though this was a difficult measure, but the corrugated boxes for packing at last were accepted by the people. He said the decision for ban on axing trees was opposed by many like saw mills, which were set up in jungles were also ordered to be removed from there to protect axing of around one lakh trees annually. Though along with the passage of time, and support from few people, government was able to save the forests and today green cover had increased in the State.
He said over the years, horticulture had become one of the potential enterprises in accelerating the growth of farming sector and the role of Horticulture and Forestry on food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation, employment generation and conservation of the environment was becoming increasingly important by the day. However, we need a perfect marketing strategy, a well planned strategy to market the produce, he said.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes appreciated the efforts of the University in research and extension activities but till a lot was required to be done to increase the productivity as compared to Europe and America.