The scheme for commercialisation of centres of excellence for fruits and vegetables will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14. (File photo)
The Centre is preparing a scheme for commercialisation of centres of excellence for fruits and vegetables to improve economic condition of farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
The scheme will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, he said.
The minister further said 585 mandis across the country will be connected through e-trading.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Centre for Sub-tropical Fruits in Ladwa, district Kurukshetra.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was also present on the occasion.
Mr Singh said an agreement for establishing a centre of excellence for fruits was signed between India and Israel under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project in May, 2006.
Haryana had taken a major step for advancement in the horticultural sector by establishing the Centre of Excellence in Ladwa with the assistance of experts from Israel, he said.
He said under the Indo-Israel work scheme, approval has been given for 26 centres of excellence under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khattar said the Centre for Sub-tropical Fruits had been set up over an area of 28 acres at a cost of Rs 9.10 crore.
He said work would be carried out to connect farmers through modern technology for trial of new varieties, dense plantation and renovation of old orchards.
Mr Khattar said under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project, farmers would be provided planting material of high-quality fruit plants and information regarding methods of management, apart from training and on-site demonstrations.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister of Israel Uri Ariel said with the help of centres of excellence, good crops could be produced using new and efficient techniques from Israel.
Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar said agricultural and water management techniques of Israel were being adopted all over the world.
He said in Haryana, work is being carried out on 13 such projects, including Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Gharaunda, Centre of Excellence for Fruits in Mangiana, Sirsa and Government Livestock Farm, Hisar.
Work is also being carried out on a project to open an Integrated Bee-keeping Development Centre (IBDC) at Ramnagar, he added.