Pawar bats for private horticulture
Stressing on a greater role for horticulture in improving the economic condition of farmers, agriculture and food minister Sharad Pawar asked private players to tap the huge potential offered by the sector.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Stressing on a greater role for horticulture in improving the economic condition of farmers, agriculture and food minister Sharad Pawar on Monday asked private players to tap the huge potential offered by the sector.
Inaugurating the fruit and vegetable summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industries here, Pawar said the horticulture sector plays an key role in ameliorating the economic condition of farmers.
���There is need to stimulate private investment, particularly in the field of infrastructure, marketing and research and development with particular emphasis on organising production programmes to cater to the needs of the processing industry and exports,��� the minister said. He added that the stress on crop diversification in the last few years has led to a rapid rise in horticultural production, which has reached 185.2 million tonne.
Earlier, speaking at the two-day conference, agriculture secretary PK Mishra said the country produces 12 mt fruits and 109 mt vegetables annually. While Maharashtra tops the list of fruit producing states, West Bengal produces the largest quantity of vegetables, he added.
However, Pawar said, the sector is constrained by widespread fragmentation in supply chain, low productivity, and huge post-harvest losses, lack of cold chain and transport infrastructure, logistics and supply chain management.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman of CII National Council on Agriculture Rakesh Bharti Mittal, listed seven key issues affecting the supply chain in horticulture, which include quality standards and cold chain infrastructure.
He said horticulture would help regain the depleting water table, which is a major concern now.
Inaugurating the fruit and vegetable summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industries here, Pawar said the horticulture sector plays an key role in ameliorating the economic condition of farmers.
���There is need to stimulate private investment, particularly in the field of infrastructure, marketing and research and development with particular emphasis on organising production programmes to cater to the needs of the processing industry and exports,��� the minister said. He added that the stress on crop diversification in the last few years has led to a rapid rise in horticultural production, which has reached 185.2 million tonne.
Earlier, speaking at the two-day conference, agriculture secretary PK Mishra said the country produces 12 mt fruits and 109 mt vegetables annually. While Maharashtra tops the list of fruit producing states, West Bengal produces the largest quantity of vegetables, he added.
However, Pawar said, the sector is constrained by widespread fragmentation in supply chain, low productivity, and huge post-harvest losses, lack of cold chain and transport infrastructure, logistics and supply chain management.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman of CII National Council on Agriculture Rakesh Bharti Mittal, listed seven key issues affecting the supply chain in horticulture, which include quality standards and cold chain infrastructure.
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He said horticulture would help regain the depleting water table, which is a major concern now.
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