A high-level delegation of Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board led by Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar will visit China to study the level of infrastructure, systems, methods etc being provided in the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets of China.
The delegation would visit China from November 24 to 29. It would visit cities of Beijing, Zhengzhou and Shenzhen for two days each to study the markets there.
During the visit, the delegation would also participate in the 8th China International Agro-Product Trade Fair from November 27 to 29 at Zhengzhou on the invitation of Agricultural Wholesale Market Association (CAWA). Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar while addressing the mediapersons on Sunday said that China has significantly improved in terms of post harvest losses in fruits and vegetable in recent years and resultantly income of farmers has increased.
This has brought in rural prosperity and has made China to hold number one position in the production of horticulture products in the world. The level of infrastructure in wholesale markets has improved exports in a big way and which is why today Japan and Korea largely depend on imports from China, said the Minister.
He said that a modern terminal market aiming to be one of the largest markets in the world will be developed at Ganaur in Sonepat district of Haryana which would be made functional in the next two years. It would be developed according to the conditions favourable to Haryana. There is a possibility of daily arrival of more than 20000 trucks carrying products in this market. Emphasis would be laid on better packaging, minimising losses and better transportation management. A special purpose vehicle would also be developed for this purpose, informed Dhankar.
The Minister said that on an average 30 per cent damage is caused to fruits and vegetables in the mandis in Haryana whereas it is just one per cent in Saint Charles Market at France, which is the world’s biggest market. While replying to a question, he said that the decision of previous State Government to set up four agro malls in Panchkula, Karnal, Panipat and Rohtak was unsuitable as there is huge difference in marketing of agricultural and industrial produce. Marketing of agricultural produce through agro mall is not practical.
He added that now, the State Government is considering a proposal of using these agro malls as general malls, but the revenue generated through these malls would be utilized for the welfare of farmers. On being asked about special girdawari to assess the damage caused by whitefly to cotton and other crops in the state, Dhankar said that the work of girdawari has been completed and the distribution of compensation would be started within next 15 to 20 days.
About allegation levelled by opposition regarding scams in paddy procurement, the Minister said that the allegations are false and baseless. Commenting on wheat and DAP fertilizer for Rabi crops, he said that so far, 12.50 lakh quintal wheat seeds have been sold whereas during the tenure of previous government, this much quantity of seeds was sold during the entire sowing season. He added that sufficient amount of 3.50 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer is available in the State.