Lucknow, 03 July (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

inaugurated the ninth three-day Mango Festival at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan

in Lucknow and released the souvenir of 'Mango Festival 2026', besides

honouring progressive orchardists. Dinesh Pratap Singh, Minister of State

(Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural

Foreign Trade and Agricultural Exports, Uttar Pradesh, expressed his gratitude

to the Chief Minister for his cooperation in the successful organization of the

festival.

The Horticulture Minister said that more than 800 varieties of mangoes were

displayed in this festival, which provides a unique experience for children and

parents. The festival was held at three locations: at the Indira Gandhi

Pratishthan, at the gardens of Malihabad with farmers, and at the Jan Bhavan

with the Governor. Its aim was to promote the prosperity and well-being of the

state's farmers.

Innovations undertaken by the Horticulture Department include the use of paper

bag technology to improve the quality of mangoes, formation of an export

promotion board, setting up of hi-tech nurseries, and promotion of lotus

cultivation.

The Horticulture Minister said that during the tenure of the Chief Minister,

the number of plants given through hi-tech nurseries has increased from 74 lakh

to 29 crore. There is also emphasis on promoting rooftop gardening in urban

areas, which will help in generating positive energy and absorbing carbon

dioxide amidst the depleting agricultural land in cities.

The 'Chief Minister State Horticulture Development Scheme' and industrial

upgradation seminars were organised at the divisional level to promote high

value crops, such as medicinal crops, in small areas.

Due to the hard work and efforts of the Horticulture Department, the production

of horticultural crops has reached 42% on 9% of the state's land, while the

Agriculture Department has a share of 58% on 91% of the land. Horticultural

products of Uttar Pradesh are reaching countries like America, Britain, Arab,

Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait, New Zealand, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Qatar, Russia,

Germany, Mauritius, Netherlands, Oman, Nepal, Thailand, Bahrain and Sweden.

Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of mangoes and honey in India. The honey

has been branded as Kashi Honey, aiming for international

recognition. Innovations have also been made to promote the cultivation of

crops like makhana, date palm, lotus, strawberry and dragon fruit.

The Horticulture Minister expressed pride over the current status of the

Horticulture Department in its 50 years of history and said that the department

has earned the respect of both the farmers and the government. Due to a tragic

incident that took place in Aliganj, Lucknow, it was decided to cancel the

cultural programmes, which were a part of Indian cultural traditions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi