Europe tour was fruitful, says Chatha

Chandigarh, May 25 (UNI) Haryana Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha today said the recent visit of a five-member delegation headed by him to European countries has borne fruitful results.

Mr Chatha said that the delegation had signed a Letter of Intent with Waghengein University of Holland on cooperation in the field of post-harvest management, organic farming and food processing.

The delegation also visited the largest fruit and vegetable wholesale markets of France, Spain and Italy which were highly developed in terms of infrastructural facilities and could act as a model for development of terminal markets such as Rai and modernisation of the mandis, he said.

The Minister said the delegation held a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Holland which was represented by its Director General Renee Bergkamp.

He expressed his satisfaction that the Netherland Government had desired to foster relationship with the Haryana government.

The broad areas that had been identified for cooperation included designing and development of modified atmosphere control technology, establishment of post-harvest management institute, development of germ plasma for vegetables like potatoes, mushrooms and flowers, research on soil salinity control and human resource development through an exchange programme.

He said a meeting had also been held with the Ministry of Agriculture represented by Francisco Mombiela Muiruzabai, Director General.

UNI