Bareilly: A Farmers’ Awareness Workshop 2026 and departmental review meeting was organised by the Horticulture Department at the Collectorate Auditorium under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Avinash Singh. The programme focused on promoting modern horticulture, strengthening farmer producer organisations (FPOs), enhancing post-harvest infrastructure and encouraging value-added agriculture.
The workshop was attended by Chief Development Officer Devyani, the Chief Veterinary Officer, District Lead Bank Manager, NABARD representatives, District Horticulture Officer, District Agriculture Officer, Dr. Ranjeet Singh, Subject Matter Specialist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), representatives from the Mandi Parishad, the District Sugarcane Department, Government Food Science Training Centre, progressive farmers, beekeepers, FPO representatives, horticultural cooperative leaders, private cold storage owners and members of self-help groups.
The programme began with a detailed presentation by the District Horticulture Officer, who briefed participants about various government schemes, including the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), the Chief Minister State Horticulture Development Scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, the Per Drop More Crop–Micro Irrigation (PDMC) Scheme, and the Food Processing Industry Policy 2023. Farmers were informed about the financial assistance, subsidies and other benefits available under these initiatives.
During the interactive session, District Magistrate Avinash Singh held discussions with progressive farmers to understand their farming practices, innovations and challenges. Farmers shared their experiences, success stories and suggestions, while discussions also focused on income generation through horticultural crops and improved marketing strategies.
The District Magistrate also interacted with owners of polyhouses and shade-net houses under the protected cultivation programme to review their production systems and market linkages.
Progressive farmers Anil Sahni, Rajendra Gangwar, Praveen Gupta and Sanjeev Gangwar shared insights into their cultivation techniques, business models and marketing strategies, highlighting the growing potential of commercial horticulture.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the horticulture sector, the District Magistrate directed the department to establish new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and promote cluster-based agricultural activities. He also instructed officials to encourage the development of post-harvest infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, pack houses, onion storage units, ripening chambers and low-cost preservation units, to help farmers secure better prices for their produce.
He further called for greater promotion of high-value exotic fruits such as dragon fruit and strawberries, encouraging farmers to diversify into commercially viable horticultural crops.
As part of the programme, the District Magistrate and Chief Development Officer distributed fruit-bearing saplings to women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), promoting nutrition, environmental sustainability and additional livelihood opportunities.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the District Horticulture Officer, who reaffirmed the department’s commitment to supporting farmers through awareness, capacity building and modern horticultural practices.
Reported from Bareilly by Akhilesh Chandra Saxena.
