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Lucknow, July 19 (HS). The prosperity of farmers has been the top priority of the Yogi government since the beginning. The key to this prosperity is increasing the income of farmers. This is possible only through agricultural diversification. In this, along with traditional farming, horticulture and vegetable farming play an important role. Due to 9 agro-climatic zones, there is ample possibility of this in Uttar Pradesh. The Yogi government is also making every possible effort to promote these possibilities.
In the same sequence, a few days ago in the meeting of the State Mandi Parishad, the Chief Minister directed that tissue culture laboratories should be established in all the four agricultural and technology universities of the state for quality planting of horticultural crops. The funds for this will be arranged by the Mandi Parishad. Similarly, a horticulture college should be established in Raebareli.
Land identified for garden college: Garden Minister
Horticulture Minister Dinesh Singh said that land has been identified in Padera village of Harcharanpur in Raebareli for the Horticulture College. The Agriculture Department has also transferred it to the Horticulture Department. Money has also been released for the first phase of work. In this, short-term training courses will also be conducted along with degree courses.
It is noteworthy that due to the continuous efforts of the Yogi government, farming of fruits and vegetables is becoming a farming of possibilities for the farmers here. This new initiative of the government will further enhance the possibilities of this sector.
Area under cultivation of fruits and vegetables increased
According to the Agroforestry Report of 2023, Uttar Pradesh's share in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables increased from 7.2 percent to 9.2 percent in a decade. In the same sequence, the Gross Value Output (GVO) obtained from these increased from Rs 20.6 thousand crore to Rs 38 thousand crore.
In fact, the Yogi government's appeal for agricultural diversification and farming as per the market demand, producing quality plants at the Center of Excellence and Mini Center of Excellence and providing them to farmers at the minimum rate, promoting protected farming by controlling protected temperature and humidity, and modernization of markets, etc. have an important contribution in this.
Horticulture centers of excellence will be built in every district
It is known that the cultivation and processing of fruits and vegetables is a field of vast possibilities. In view of these possibilities, the Yogi government has been continuously encouraging their cultivation in every possible way since its first term. About two years ago, after the formation of the Yogi government for the second time, ambitious targets were set before the department regarding expansion of the area of cultivation, increase in yield and processing for the next 5 years. Work is also being done accordingly.
The target is to increase the area of horticultural crops from 11.6 to 16 percent by 2027
According to the target, the area of horticultural crops is to be increased from 11.6 percent to 16 percent and food processing from 6 percent to 20 percent by 2027. For this, fruits and vegetables will be needed as raw material on a large scale for the processing units to be set up.
Every district will have horticulture infrastructure by 2027
The most important role in achieving the set targets in horticulture is of quality planting material (seeds and plants). For this, the government will establish excellence centers, mini excellence centers or high-tech nurseries in every district within the stipulated time period. Work is also underway in this regard. By 2027, such infrastructure will be available in every district. This is the intention of the government.
Increase in horticulture area and yield due to government encouragement
Due to the encouragement received from the government and these possibilities, in the last 7 years, by encouraging the farmers, the area under cultivation of fruits and vegetables has increased by more than 1.01 lakh hectares and the yield has increased by more than 0.7 percent. Indo-Israel Center for Excellence was established in Basti and Kannauj respectively for fruits and vegetables so that farmers get quality saplings.
The government is also promoting protected farming to grow off-season vegetables
The work of promoting protected farming based on Indo-Israel technology for growing quality plants and vegetables out of season by controlling humidity and temperature is also in progress.
What do agricultural scientists say
Vegetable scientist Dr. SP Singh says that “The most effective way of increasing the income of farmers in Uttar Pradesh is the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and spices. Due to the presence of 9 types of agro-climatic zones, cultivation of all types of fruits, vegetables and flowers is possible in different areas. Small-marginal farmers will play an important role in this. If the income of farmers is to be increased, then they will have to be encouraged to cultivate fruits, vegetables and flowers.”