Three high-tech 'Market Terminals' to be set up in Punjab

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Chandigarh, May 8 (UNI) In a move that could completely transform the face of agricultural marketing in Punjab, the State Government would set up three 'Market Terminals' with global linkages and high-tech infrastructure in public-private partnership mode in Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Muktsar districts at an estimated cost of over Rs 500 crore.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here under the Chairmanship Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, which was attended by Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The move would provide the facility of direct access to the growers of fruit and vegetables in Punjab and is likely to lead to a production boom in fruit and vegetable production, releiving pressure from traditional crop pattern.

These terminal markets would be equipped with the facilities of cold chain, grading centre and online marketing access for assured marketing support to the growers.

It was decided in the meeting to set up four wholesale markets of fruits and vegetable to ensure better marketing support and logistics to the growers.

For better orchard management, the latest equipment such as sprayers, pruners, graders and harvesting machines would be imported under the pilot project to be fully funded by the Government of India under 'National Horticultural Mission'.

Five citrus development centres in the state would be strengthened by creating cold storage facilities to improve the shelf life of the citrus fruit.

The development of horticulture in the state will create opportunities of employment generation both for skilled and unskilled workers.

Mr Badal emphasised the need to develop horticulture in a big way as it would immensely contribute towards the diversification of agriculture. He urged the officers of Ministry of Agriculture to provide technical support and financial assistance to the state in implementing the National Horticulture Mission in the state to herald a citrus revolution in the state.

The Chief Minister also requested the Ministry of Agriculture to provide assistance for two de-bittering plants being set up by the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation at Hoshiarpur and Abohar to improve the quality of citrus juice for its acceptability in the international market.

The meeting was attended by the team of officers from Centre comprising Mr S M Desalphine, Additional Secretary Horticulture, Mr J S Patnaik, Joint Secretary, National Horticulture Mission, Mr U K S Chouhan, Joint Secretary, Agriculture Marketing, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary R I Singh, Financial Commissioner Development G S Sandhu, Chief Minister's Principal Secretary D S Guru, Agriculture Director B S Sidhu and Horticulture Director Kulbir Singh.

UNI

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