Lucknow: Dinesh Pratap Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade and Agricultural Export, reviewed the progress of horticulture development programmes and departmental schemes on Monday at his official residence. He held detailed discussions with senior department officials on speeding up horticultural development in the state and meeting the government’s targets on time.
Review of targets
The minister took stock of where the department stands on its targets under the vision of making Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy. He asked officials to publicise hi-tech nurseries widely so that farmers can easily get high-quality planting material, which should improve the productivity and quality of horticultural crops.
Publicising potato schemes
To benefit farmers, the minister directed that two new potato development schemes be publicised widely at the grassroots. These are the Bhamashah Bhav Sthirta Kosh (price stabilisation fund) and the waiver of storage charges for potatoes kept in cold storages. He said as many potato farmers as possible should learn about them, so that they can take advantage in time.
Smooth removal from cold storages
Singh also asked officials to take effective steps to ensure timely and smooth removal of potatoes stored in the state’s cold storages. Orderly removal, he said, will give farmers better opportunities to market their produce and help them get fair prices.
Finding new markets
He stressed the need for an action plan to increase potato sales in other states, so that farmers get a better market and maximum returns. He also directed officials to hold a conference with potato traders from other states at the earliest, to improve coordination between farmers and traders and open up new markets.
Strengthening HAFED
The minister asked officials to prepare a detailed and modern plan, with the help of subject experts, to make the working of HAFED more dynamic and profitable. The organisation’s functioning, he said, should be strengthened in line with market needs so that farmers benefit from a better marketing system.
The review meeting was attended by the Special Secretary (Horticulture and Food Processing), the Director (Horticulture), the Joint Director (Horticulture), the Joint Director (Vegetables), the Joint Director (Headquarters) and other senior officials of the department.
