Lucknow,

07 May (HS): Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh

Chouhan on Thursday interacted with mango growers, exporters and progressive

farmers after planting a mango sapling at the Central Institute of Subtropical

Horticulture campus in Lucknow. Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farmers will prosper

only by focusing on pre and post-harvest management along with increasing

production. Therefore, new schemes and research projects will be implemented to

improve the quality, storage, and export of mangoes and other fruits.

Shivraj

Singh Chauhan said that Malihabad's mango belt has to be maintained at the

world level. The minister said that success has been achieved in increasing the

shelf life of mangoes by 25-30 days. Work is underway to further increase it to

40-50 days. Sea route will be promoted to reduce export costs. Efforts are

underway to send mangoes to new markets like Argentina, South Africa and Korea.

A special center will be established in Uttar Pradesh to facilitate exports. He

said that eight clusters are being created. A potato research center is being

opened in Agra.

The

Union Agriculture Minister announced that Clean Plant Centers will be opened to

ensure disease-free plants. This will ensure the availability of disease-free

plants at the nursery level. The private sector will also be supported. The

Minister stated that an integrated platform will soon be created to manage the

entire process from seedling to fruit. A special team will be formed to train

farmers on crop protection, quality improvement, and post-harvest precautions.

Shivraj

Singh Chouhan stated that Uttar Pradesh's climate is favorable for fruit

growing. An additional 70,000 orchards have been established here. He set a

target to increase the export of mangoes, bananas, and grapes. The target is to

increase exports of mangoes and bananas by 5 percent and grapes by 15 percent. On

this occasion, State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Horticulture

Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh along with scientists and officials of the

institute were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi