Known as City of lakes, Bhopal will also become ‘City of Flowers’. Activities will be expanded in horticulture sector and added as an extra source of income for farmers. This was informed by Principal Secretary Cottage and Village Industries Praveer Krishna at a workshop on expansion of State Horticulture Mission on Sunday. About 250 horticulture officers from divisions and districts participated in the two-day workshop.
Praveer Krishna informed that 300 farms/nurseries of Madhya Pradesh will be used as training-cum-model centres. These nurseries will be developed in a better way. Existing schemes will be increased three-fold for increase in horticulture production, productivity and getting good results. A `100 crore horticulture development scheme will be implemented in the State with the help of World Bank. Horticulture Department will be computerised and digitalised. In the interest of farmers, communication, education and information units will be activated and expanded throughout the State. The scheme will be implemented by dividing districts in 10 clusters.
Praveer Krishna said that special programmes will be started in every district and block for horticulture development. Storage and marketing facilities for farmers will be of international level. An action plan is being chalked out to establish four hubs of food processing in the State for national and international level coordination. He informed that scheme to double income of farmers through horticulture will also be implemented. A proposal to this effected will be presented before the State Government soon. Officers presented local level schemes of their respective districts at the workshop.
Review of Village Industries Department activities
At a meeting of Village Industries Department, Praveer Krishna reviewed its activities. He said that departmental activities should be increased in coordination with state and Central governments and World Bank. Proposals to increase departmental revenue by 10 times will be implemented from next week. He directed officers to implement schemes with earnest and hard work. Praveer Krishna also directed for giving fillip to marketing activities along with making departmental schemes employment-oriented.