A Group of Ministers (GOM) would be constituted for better coordination among horticulture, silk culture, animal husbandry, fisheries, milk production, and tea cultivation. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat made this declaration while addressing a State level workshop titled ‘Horticulture development in Uttarakhand- present scenario and future prospects’ at Madho Singh Bhadari Kisan Bhawan here on Thursday.
He stressed the need for new researches in the field of horticulture and their percolation to the level of villages. Rawat said that the farmers of the State are doing a commendable work in the spheres of horticulture but the need of the hour is to increase awareness in this field. He highlighted the need of cooperative farming so that optimum use of the skills of farmers is made.
Giving an example, the CM said that if some village is doing better work in some specific field of agriculture, the nearby villages should also join in the initiative. Stressing the need for developing clusters, he said that the clusters of Mandua, Turmeric, fruits, vegetable, ginger, and flowers can be prepared and the State Government would provide all necessary help in this respect.
Rawat said that the agriculture equipments should be prepared keeping in mind the needs of agriculture in the mountainous areas. He said that the aim to bring agriculture and horticulture under one roof is to make a concerted effort to save our agriculture. Signifying the need for fodder development, Rawat opined that it should be done to augment the animal husbandry and agriculture.
CM said that work on land consolidation is needed to be done in the State and the neighbouring State of Himachal Pradesh made good progress after land consolidation. He highlighted the importance of developing water conservation models in the villages under MNREGA. Rawat also explained the significance of establishment of food packaging and processing units in the villages. He said that education and agriculture are two top priorities for the State Government as they are the paths of progress.
Speaking on the occasion, the agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat said that the state is fast acquiring reputation of a horticulture hub and is progressing in the production of spices and silk production. Parliamentary secretary Vijay Pal Sajwan, additional chief secretary S Raju, Secretary Nidhi Pandey, and large number of agriculturists were present on the occasion.