The Uttar Pradesh Horticulture Department commemorated a significant milestone this week, celebrating its 50th foundation year with a forward-looking seminar aimed at empowering the state's agricultural community.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Farmer Empowerment
The divisional-level horticulture advancement seminar was held at the Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium in Gorakhpur on Wednesday. The event specifically targeted farmers, entrepreneurs, and exporters from the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions. The chief guest for this landmark occasion was Dinesh Pratap Singh, the UP Minister with independent charge for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Foreign Trade, and Agri Export.
The core objective of the seminar was to arm local horticulturists and producers with knowledge of modern farming techniques and crucial information about various government support schemes. An exhibition showcasing the department's work and initiatives was also organized, which the minister personally inspected.
New Projects and Statewide Launch
Minister Singh took the opportunity to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several new projects. These included a new government nursery and multiple connectivity projects designed to improve infrastructure for the farming sector. In a notable move, he formally launched a statewide rooftop gardening initiative from Gorakhpur itself, encouraging urban and peri-urban agriculture.
Addressing the gathered farmers and stakeholders, Minister Singh reflected on the department's journey. He stated that the department had completed five decades of service and had seen tremendous growth under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Remarkable Growth and Lucrative Opportunities
The minister highlighted staggering figures to demonstrate the sector's expansion. He revealed that the annual distribution of nursery plants has skyrocketed from 74 lakh (7.4 million) before 2022 to nearly 29 crore (290 million) plants today.
To support farmers financially, the government is providing substantial assistance. This includes Rs 13.5 lakh for setting up a one-acre polyhouse and Rs 1.5 lakh per farmer for fencing to protect valuable crops from stray cattle. The minister also elaborated on the 'One Block, One Crop' model, where each administrative block identifies the most suitable horticulture crops based on its local geography and climate.
Positioning horticulture as a high-profit sector, Singh made a direct appeal to educated youth. He urged them to enter the field with a scientific approach, noting that with proper techniques, earnings could reach an impressive Rs 15 lakh per acre. The event also saw the felicitation of outstanding farmers and agri-entrepreneurs with certificates, recognizing their excellence in horticulture.
