Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand has asked the officials concerned to prepare an action plan for mushroom production and organic farming of vegetables.
Dhand issued the directives while chairing a meeting of the State-level Executive Committee for Horticulture Development and reviewed the plans relating to the cultivation of horticultural crops in the State.
The Chief Secretary said that the Revenue Division in Bastar and other districts which come under integrated action plan should prepare special action plan for the cultivation of mushrooms.
Mushrooms are rich in nutrients. Therefore after increasing the output, it can be added in the menu of the Mid-day meals given to the school children in these areas, he said.
The Chief Secretary said that the top priority of the State Government was to encourage and promote the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables.
It was for this reason the National Horticulture Mission had been constituted, he informed.
Emphasising on need for more organic farming required in the horticulture sector, Dhand told officials that they should prepare plans and provide necessary assistance to the farmers.
He also directed the officials to hold training programmes for the farmers on organic farming and mushroom cultivation.
Dhand also directed the officials to involve more farmers from Bastar area in the training programme on organic farming of vegetables and different travel program organised by the State.
He also directed the officials to launch joint programme for encouraging the vegetable crops and spice crops by brining it under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).