U’khand can generate annual revenue of Rs 2,000 cr from apple cultivation: Dhami

By our reporter

New Delhi, July 29: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh today delivered a virtual address on a programme regarding progressive apple cultivation in Champawat district from Uttarakhand Sadan in New Delhi.

Addressing the event, the CM asserted that Coca-Cola India and Indo Dutch Horticulture Technologies Private Limited (IDHT) have formed an important partnership to make Project “Unnati Apple” successful in Champawat. Dhami said that the “Unnati Apple Project” is a great example of how collaborative efforts can bring about agricultural transformation. He noted that the success of this initiative is the result of the perseverance and hard work of the farmers in the state.

Dhami said that the project has brought revolutionary changes in the field of apple. He expressed happiness over the positive transformation that this project has brought in the lives of apple farmers in Champawat. He added that these farmers are making their significant contribution in realizing the vision of Champawat as an ideal district. The Chief Minister said that the production of fruits in 20 months from 100 apple orchards planted using high density plantation technology in Champawat is a good sign for apple cultivation.

Dhami claimed that this project has provided farmers with access to advanced planting material, training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and modern infrastructure, which has resulted in substantial increase in apple production and farmers’ income. He added that this has not only strengthened the economic condition of the horticulturists but has also paved the way for employment generation in the area. Dhami said that agriculture and horticulture are a symbol of livelihood, prosperity and development in the state. Modern agri-tech initiatives like Project Unnati Apple by Coca-Cola India and Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies to increase apple production have proven to be highly productive and profitable. This has also helped in the socio-economic upliftment of farmers.

The CM noted that the climate of Uttarakhand is conducive to cultivation of temperate fruits like kiwi, walnut, pear, plum, apricot and passion fruit. The Champawat region is considered suitable for the production of these fruits. Apples from Champawat are famous all over the country for their quality, taste and nutritional value. The state government is making special efforts to promote the production of fruits in the state. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to connect more farmers with the Apple Mission in the state.

Dhami said that under the Apple Mission, 80 per cent subsidy is given to farmers who plant apple orchards. The government has made a new apple policy in the state, which has set a target of high-density plantation of apples in five thousand hectares of area in the next eight years. The state government has set a target of increasing the annual turnover of apples in the state from Rs 200 crore to Rs 2,000 crore. Along with industries in the state, work is also on to make suitable policies to accelerate the growth of horticulture. He said that the farmers of the state need to be further motivated to grow apples so that Uttarakhand can become a leading state. By planting improved varieties of apple trees with the help of new technology in the state, one can produce better quality apples in Uttarakhand as compared to Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Special attention is also being paid to quality and packaging so that Uttarakhand can create a unique identity in apple production on par with Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Dhami claimed that the state government is trying to provide necessary resources and technical assistance to farmers. Farmers are getting loans of up to Rs 3 lakh and women self-help groups are getting loans of up to Rs 5 lakh without interest. Under the Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme, farmers are being encouraged to take up organic farming. Under the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme, farm equipment is being made available to farmers with a subsidy of up to 80 per cent. Under the Sustainable Agriculture Scheme, subsidies are being given in every sector to promote cereals, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy in agriculture. Under the Pashudhan Bima Yojana, farmers are being protected from accidental loss of animals through animal insurance. Under the National Horticulture Mission, horticultural crops such as flowers, vegetables, etc. are being promoted by setting up cluster-based small polyhouses in the state.

The CM claimed that the state government’s target is to increase the production of different types of fruits by 20 times in the next four to five years and that this will not only provide employment to farmers but also develop an entire fruit industry in the state. He said that processing units will also be set up in future so that the produce here can reach the market in a better manner.

Sudhir Chaddha, Director, Indo Dutch Horticulture Technologies, said, “Project Unnati Apple” is an example of how partnership between private and public institutions can bring lasting and positive change in the society. Coca-Cola CEO Rajiv Gupta said that under this mission, better results of apple production in Champawat will result.

BJP state spokesperson Suresh Joshi, BJP district president Nirmal Mahara, representative MLA Prakash Tiwari, district magistrate Navneet Pandey, Block Pramukh, Champawat, Rekha Devi and Vinita Fartyal were among those present on the occasion.