Tuesday, 30 July 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that under the Apple Mission, 80 per cent subsidy is being given to farmers for setting up apple orchards in the State. He said that the Uttarakhand government has formulated a new apple policy in which a target for high density apple plantation in five thousand hectares of area in next eight years has been taken. The State government has taken a target to increase the annual turnover of apples from Rs 200 crore to Rs 2000 crore, he said. The CM added that the State government has also taken a target to increase the production of fruits by 20 times in the next four-five years. The CM was addressing a programme organised by the ‘ Unnati Apple project’ at Goralchod in Champawat in a virtual mode on Monday.
He said that Coca-Cola India and Indo Dutch Horticulture Technologies Private Limited (IDHT) are playing an important role in making Project Unnati Apple successful in Champawat. Dhami said that the project is an example of collective efforts for agricultural transformation. The CM said that the production of apples from 100 orchards using high density plantation technology in only 20 months in Champawat is a good sign for apple cultivation. The Chief Minister said that the project has provided farmers access to advanced planting material, training in good agricultural practices (GAP) and modern infrastructure, resulting in substantial increase in apple production and farmers’ income.
Dhami said that the climate of Uttarakhand is suitable for the cultivation of kiwi, walnut, pear, plum, apricot and passion fruit and Champawat region is considered suitable for the production of these fruits. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to connect more and more farmers with the Apple Mission in the state.
The CM expressed confidence that by planting improved varieties of apples and with the use of new technology, Uttarakhand can produce better quality apples than Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. He said that focus is on quality and improving packaging for Uttarakhand to have a special identity in apple production.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is making efforts to provide necessary resources and technical assistance to the farmers. The government is providing interest free loans up to Rs three lakhs to farmers and Rs five lakhs to women self-help groups.
He added that under the Farm Machinery Bank scheme, agricultural equipment is being made available to farmers at a subsidy of up to 80 percent.
Speaking on this occasion, the District Panchayat chairperson Jyoti Rai said that the apple production in the district is increasing and it has also given an impetus to the local economy.
The Director, Indo Dutch Horticulture Technologies, Sudhir Chaddha said, “Project Unnati Apple is an example of how partnerships between private and public entities can bring lasting and positive change to society.’’
Director Coca-Cola, Rajeev Gupta said that under this mission, better results are coming in apple production in Champawat.
Spokesperson of State BJP Suresh Joshi and others were present in the programme.
