Horticulturists to meet in Meghalaya

Shillong, Apr 17 (UNI) Considering the increasing importance of Horticulture, experts and scientists from across the country would be meeting here on a three-day conference from April 18 to discuss on targeted growth of 3.9 per cent in overall agriculture sector in 11th Plan period.

The horticulturists, under the banner of the Horticulture Society of India (HSI), have decided to deliberate on this issue during the meet at the Indian Council Agriculture Research Complex in Umroi.

The HSI would also attempt to frame the needed plans to boost up North East Horticulture under special focus on 'Opportunities and linkages for Horticulture Research and Development in NE region'.

Horticulture is an important sub-sector of agriculture in North eastern region especially in the hills region where the sector occupies 20.55 per cent of the total cultivable areas.

About 6.8 million tonne of horticultural products are grown in North Eastern states which is far below its potential. However, in spices sector, the region has competitive advantages particularly for turmeric, ginger, chilly and large cardamom.

Floriculture has shown tremendous promise in the region with strength of around 600 orchid species besides the scope offered by anthurium, roses, gerbera, tuberose, etc.

Although a noteworthy improvement in horticulture sector has been brought in over last several years through the application of science and technology, the region still has not been able to explore its full potential due primarily to constraints like inadequate availability of quality seed and planting material, lack of improved varieties for disadvantageous ecologies, limited post harvest handling facilities, low adoption of high tech horticulture, and unorganised marketing.

To address these issues, the congress is bringing together researchers, extension workers, policy makers, farmers, NGOs, business houses to discuss on the strengths and opportunities of horticulture in the region and to suggest suitable strategies for its overall development.

UNI