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Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, inaugurating the construction of works worth Rs 2,600 crores at the India International Horticulture Market, Ganaur, on Sunday, said that this is not just a building, but a vision, which will double the farmers’ income. Along with the farmers, it will prove to be very beneficial for fruit and vegetable producers, common public, and traders, he added.
Chief Minister, talking about the expansion of Horticulture Market, said that it will become the biggest market not only in India but also in Asia. “This will give special benefits to the buyers and sellers of the states of North India. This market will be prepared as the best alternative to Azadpur, in which all kinds of facilities will be provided. This initiative will directly strengthen the state’s economic condition,” he said.
Khattar said that the mandi will play a special role in fulfilling the target set by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double the farmers’ income. Along with this, he said that the works will be expanded at a cost of Rs 3,000 crores. The tender works worth Rs 2,600 crores will be completed within two years.
Along with Haryana, farmers and traders from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand will be able to take advantage of the market.
The Chief Minister announced that the farmers producing vegetables would be given subsidies at the rate of Rs 5,000 per acre for three years. “Its area and time period can also be increased as per the requirement,” he added.
He said that at present, vegetable production is being done on 3000 acres in Ganaur block, which should be further increased.
In another significant announcement for sunflower producing farmers, the Chief Minister said that in view of recent challenges faced by the sunflower farmers, it has been decided that an oil factory will be set up on four acres of land in Kurukshetra, which will have a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes.
“The Maharana Pratap Horticulture University in Karnal will start next year, which will give special benefits to the farmers. Along with this, Ganaur railway station is just one kilometer away from Horticulture Market, from where there will be a facility to transport fruits and vegetables etc. products. If required, a separate station will also be made for mandi,” he added.
The state’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister JP Dalal said that there will be a business of Rs 40,000-50,000 crore rupees annually. Along with this, lakhs of people will also get employment, he added.
“During the tenure of our government, an amount of about Rs 23,000 crores have been paid to the farmers, which includes benefits of other schemes including insurance compensation. For the first time, farmers have been paid compensation for damage in just two months, whereas in the previous governments they had to wait for years. Compensation amounting to about Rs 200 crores have been deposited in the accounts of the farmers for damage caused due to the recent unseasonal rains,” he added.