Chief Minister Harish Rawat has intructed the State horticulture department to organise festivals involving whatever fruits the State is producing on the line of the one being staged for apples in the State. “Such festivals would surely go a long way to shore up further the demands for such fruits that we produce like Aadu (Peech) and apples in super-abundance. Some other local fruits are also in great demand. In view of this, there is a need to promote production of such fruits,” he said while inaugurating the Apple Festival in Dehradun on Wednesday.
CM announced on the ocasion that Budget will be doubled for agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and other related activities in the next financial year. “State Government is eager to provide financial and technical assistance to the apple growers if they constitute Farmers’ Interest Groups,” he said.
CM also assured that his government is making all –out efforts to announce Minimum Support Price (MSP) of horticulture produces like apple, malta and the like. “We have been doing the same now for paddy and wheat,” he said, adding that exhibition and distribution events involving apples will be held in a week to promote sale of Uttarakhandi apples at Uttarakhand Niwas in Delhi.
CM stressed on the development of support system for product marketing of Uttarakhand. “Farmers, gardeners and producers have to participate in the process,” he said.
Invoking the memory of the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, CM said she was extremely fond of the apples produced in the State. “She used to purchase apples from Choubatiya and Ramgarh and gift them to the leaders of various countries,” he said.
Stating that the golden era of the state’s apples is in the offing, he said they must sweat hard to make it happen. “With many agricultural and fruits being out of MSP system, the State Government is going to make a policy for them and a bonus system will also be implemented to boost their production,” he said, adding that such initiatives would enthuse the growers to produce them in ampleness.
laying emphasis on public- private participation in the matter, CM said his Government would play a constructive role to provide every possible help to the Farmers Interests Groups. “We have to emphasise on the nursery development to prepare high quality plants. At least, 25 areas would be developed for intensive plantation of apples and walnuts in the State,” he said.
Referring to the modified Excise Policy, he said local fruits are being used as ingredients in wine production, courtesy the amendment. “Working plan is being firmed up to promote production of fruits, fibre and leaves- based products. The same is also being formulated for 20 percent use of Pirul (Pine leaves) in one year,” he stated.
During the programme, State agriculture and horticulture minister Dr Harak Singh Rawat stated that Apple Festival is being organised followed by similar observance of Mushroom Day, Be-Hiving Conference, Mango Festival in the State. “These festivals provide a platform to the farmers, gardeners and agricultural specialists to exchange their experiences and knowledge. State has constituted Uttarakhand Horticulture Marketing Board with Rs10 crore being provided to it. State is going to develop such system which may provide information regarding prices of various agricultural and fruits products, aside from production details to the farmers over mobile services,” he said.
Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma stated that the farmers and the gardeners should constitute federations to speed things up. “State will provide financial and technical assistance. Farmers’ Interests Groups will be constituted in Harshil, Mori and Tyuni and the process would be completed by September 30,” he added.