Himachal to import high quality rootstocks

PTI

Himachal would import high quality temperate rootstocks and fruit plants under the Rs 1,169-crore state 'Horticulture Development Project' being funded by the World Bank.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Horticulture J C Sharma here today.

The meeting decided that identified and high yielding root stocks would be raised in the fruit nurseries of the Horticulture Department to increase the fruit production to make the state competitive in global markets, Sharma said.

With a view to boosting horticulture sector in the state, the special emphasis would be on extensive plantation and a sum of Rs 350 crore would be spent on irrigation facilities, the official informed.

The sector would be developed in a cluster form and the services of foreign experts would also be availed for ensuring better development of this sector.

The progressive farmers from Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Kinnaur districts also participated in the meeting and gave their valuable suggestions for importing root stocks of various fruits.

Vice Chairman, HPMC Prakash Thakur, scientists of Indian Agriculture Research Institute K K Pramanik and S S Sandhu and representatives of various fruit growing unions were also present in the meet.