Himachal to import high quality rootstocks

Shimla, August 30(PTI) Himachal would import high qualitytemperate rootstocks and fruit plants under the Rs 1,169-crorestate ‘Horticulture Development Project’ being funded by theWorld Bank. The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting heldunder the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Horticulture J CSharma here today. The meeting decided that identified and high yielding rootstocks would be raised in the fruit nurseries of theHorticulture Department to increase the fruit production tomake the state competitive in global markets, Sharma said. With a view to boosting horticulture sector in the state,the special emphasis would be on extensive plantation and asum of Rs 350 crore would be spent on irrigation facilities,the official informed. The sector would be developed in a cluster form and theservices of foreign experts would also be availed for ensuringbetter development of this sector. The progressive farmers from Shimla, Mandi, Kullu andKinnaur districts also participated in the meeting and gavetheir valuable suggestions for importing root stocks ofvarious fruits. Vice Chairman, HPMC Prakash Thakur, scientists of IndianAgriculture Research Institute K K Pramanik and S S Sandhu andrepresentatives of various fruit growing unions were alsopresent in the meet. PTI PCLABI