Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday stressed for the diversification of fruits cultivation and plantation of new varieties of apple and other fruits to compete in global markets.
He said that horticulture experts and officers should think to meet the future needs of productivity and quality. While speaking at first State-level Horticulture Officers Conference-2013 organised by Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Services Association (HPHSA), he said that Himachal Pradesh had diverse agro-climatic zones which facilitate the cultivation of almost all temperate and sub-tropical fruits like apple, pear, cherry and peach, plum, kiwi, mango, citrus fruits and strawberry.
He said that European fruits and the Chinese apple were posing threat to Himachal apple and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry alongwith Horticulture Department should import new varieties of fruits to compete with global markets. The Chief Minister said that State horticulturists pioneered in delicious varieties of apples but most of the plantation was now old and needs to be replaced with new high yielding varieties. Singh said that Dr YS Parmar University and Horticulture Department should prepare new progeny of various varieties of fruits to provide fillip to horticulture in the State, which plays an important role in improving economic condition of the people of State.
He said, “Himachal was known as ‘Apple State’ due to its delicious apples and it is now heading towards becoming a Fruit state of the country. The horticulture officers should disseminate the latest techniques and knowledge to grow best varieties of fruits.” “Floriculture was another area which has a lot of potential in the State. The horticulture officers should also guide the farmers to grow flowers as per the demands and the market requirements,” he added.
Singh said that a blanket ban was imposed on cutting of mango trees during his previous tenure but still in some areas these were being axed illegally. The Forest Department should act strictly to stop this practice and should plant fruits trees and berries in the forests seeking support from Horticulture Department in order to provide food to the monkeys and other animals and birds. It would also help in checking the menace of monkey in populace areas,” he said. The Chief Minister said that climate in middle and upper hills was conducive for the production of off-season vegetables and farmers should take advantage of this to improve their economy.