Centre of Excellence for Mango centre at Ladwa

by Haryananewswire (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, JULY 5

  The Haryana Government has decided to set up Center of Excellence for Mango in collaboration with Israel at Ladwa in district Kurukshetra at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

This was disclosed by Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Agriculture Mr. Roshan Lal while interacting with the media persons here today.

          He said that the Government of India has already accorded its approval for this project. He said that root stocks would be tried in this center and roots would be poly embryonic. Some new variety would be tried in this center, he added.

          Mr Roshan Lal said that some high yielding varieties would be imported from Israel such as 13/1, Maya and Sheli. The irrigation system would be maintained by drip with automization system, pumping room and construction of water tanks at Centre of Excellence at Ladwa.

          This Centre would facilitate establishment of new Mango demonstration fields, establishing new Mango nurseries, introduction of new varieties of mango, exchange of knowledge and technology, new technology of High Density Plantation and Canopy Management and rejuvenation of senile orchards. Pack House with latest technology would be constructed at this centre, he added.

          In reply to a question, he said that the Agriculture department was also promoting horticulture and organic farming. Taking initiative in the field of fruits production through organic farming, organic mangoes have been produced in village Kalesar of district Yamunanagar, which are now attracting consumers and mango eaters along with other farmers of the area. The farmers had initiated organic farming of mangoes three years back. A team of horticulture department assisted them in adoption and certification of the farmers as per Indian as well as International standards. After three years of regular adoption of organic inputs their mangoes were organic certified as per Indian as well as European standards. He said that now organic mango is cultivated over an area of around 500 acres in district Yamunanagar alone. He said that Mango Mela this year would have another category of award in the field of organic farming. The award has been started to encourage the farmers to adopt organic farming, he added.

          Mr. Roshan Lal said that an outlay of Rs. 107 crores has already been approved by Government of India for the year 2012-13 under National Horticulture Mission. Under this, assistance ranging from 33 to hundred percent was made available on various components like establishment of community tank, area expansion under fruits, spices, aromatic plants and development of nurseries.