Chandigarh: Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jodmajra today called upon farmers to plant fruit trees and said that these plants are being made available by the Horticulture Department at affordable rates. He said that this initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to promote crop diversification across the state.
He said the monsoon season was suitable and favourable for planting fruit trees and this initiative of the government would provide a sustainable alternative to the traditional wheat-paddy crop cycle which has considerably depleted the groundwater level.
The Horticulture Minister especially urged to plant various fruit trees including mango, guava, litchi, sapota, different varieties of citrus fruits, jamun, bil and jackfruit. He said that these plants are available at reasonable prices in the government nurseries running under the Horticulture Department.
Meanwhile, Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailinder Kaur, IFS said that for more information on getting plants from nurseries, farmers can contact the nodal officer of the Horticulture Department on mobile number 7508018803.
He said that while planting fruit trees would conserve the environment and water, it would also promote crop diversity and significantly increase farmers’ income.
Mrs Shailinder Kaur reiterated the commitment of the Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to extend full support to the farmers of Punjab in adopting more sustainable and economically viable agricultural techniques and said that this initiative is part of the comprehensive efforts being made to enhance the economic capabilities of the agriculture sector of the state as well as address environmental problems.
