Despite various efforts towards horticulture development, Odisha still fares poorly in terms of India’s overall area under cultivation and total production of fruits and vegetables, observed speakers and experts here at the opening session of three-day long national seminar and exposition of potential of horticulture in Odisha.
“Due to the favourable agro-climatic conditions, Odisha enjoys a natural advantage for growing a diversified basket of fruits, vegetables, spices, tubers and flowers in horticulture sector. But due to some issues, Odisha still fares poorly on many fronts,” said National Horticulture Board Deputy Director Bani Singh.
Stating that Odisha has 6 per cent horticulture of the total area, State Agriculture Secretary Rajesh Verma said, “The State still faces challenges like seed production, storage facility, post harvest management and many technical issues in agriculture and horticulture sector.” The department is committed to overcomesuch issues shortly, he added. He also informed that new Udyan Fresh centres will be opened at Rourkela, Sambalpur and Brahmpur where vegetables will be procured directly from farmers. Since the horticulture sector encompasses a wide range of crops namely fruit crops, vegetables crops, potato and tuber crops, ornamental crops, medicinal and aromatic crops, spices and plantation crops, Economic Advisor-cum-Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of MSME BN Nanda laid emphasis on execution of Government funds and subsidies in grassroots level properly.
Hundreds of farmers will participate in the three day seminar where they will be apprised of various new techniques and facilities in the horticulture sector by experts and entrepreneurs. Various stalls have also been opened to educate farmers.
The programme is being organsied by Centre of Agri-Management of Department of Business Administration at the University campus with the support of Horticulture, Agriculture and allied departments of the State Govt.