The government is gearing up to make the apple and kiwi mission a success in Uttarakhand. For this, planting of plants of both these fruit species is being done on a large scale, the result of which will come in the form of increased production in the near future.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi said this after a review meeting of the Horticulture Department on Wednesday late evening. He informed that in the year 2021-22, 14.19 lakh saplings of apple and kiwi were planted across the state. He said that the officers have been asked to focus on the production of fruits like dragon fruit and berries in the Terai region.
Farmers will become self-sufficient with Apple and Kiwi:
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Joshi reviewed the Horticulture Department late on Wednesday before the review meeting of Apple and Kiwi Mission to be held by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday. Referring to the Kiwi Mission, he had planted 93 thousand Kiwi saplings in the state in the year 2020-21, while 2.13 lakh saplings were planted in the year 2021-22. Similarly, 2.43 lakh saplings of apple were planted in the year 2020-21, while 12.06 lakh saplings were planted in the year 2021-22. CM Dhami said that this is a meaningful step in increasing the income of farmers and making them self-reliant.
New revolution will come in apple production in the state:
According to Cabinet Minister Joshi, the production of apples in the state this year was 64000 metric tonnes, in which Uttarkashi and Almora districts are at the forefront. He said that the government has made a budget provision of 35 crores for the Apple mission this year. This will bring a new revolution in apple production in the state.
Target to set up 50 thousand polyhouses:
Cabinet Minister Joshi also informed that a target has been set to set up 50,000 polyhouses in the state by January next year. Work has been started in this direction. He also asked the officials to work towards promoting the production of citrus fruits in the hilly areas. Secretary Dipendra Chowdhary, Additional Secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Horticulture Director Dr HS Baweja and other officers were present in the meeting.
