A crucial meeting of the High-Powered Committee for the JICA-funded ‘Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project’ was held at the Secretariat on Monday, presided over by Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on formulating a comprehensive plan, keeping in view the immense potential for advanced horticulture within the state.
The key directives issued during the meeting are as follows:
• **Area and Production Expansion:** Instructions were issued to utilize advanced crop varieties and adopt a ‘Cluster Approach’ to expand the total horticultural area within the state.
• **Technical Assistance to Farmers:** To boost production, farmers will be provided with hand-holding support, appropriate training, and technical assistance. Particular emphasis was placed on training in grafting techniques.
• **Infrastructure:** Alongside developing supply chains for the sale and preservation of horticultural produce, the existing cold storage infrastructure will be further strengthened.
• **Transparency and Monitoring:** The Chief Secretary issued strict directives to ensure that there is absolutely no duplication of schemes and that they are monitored on a regular basis.
• **Continuous Support:** An active and sustained role for the Horticulture Department will be ensured to continue assisting farmers even after the completion of the project.
Several senior officials, including Secretary S.N. Pandey and Director General (Horticulture) Smt. Vandana Singh, were present at the meeting.
