Netherlands' initiative to set up flower mandi in Gurugram

CHANDIGARH, JULY 17

Moving closer to the execution of the MOU signed with the Haryana Government in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, horticulture and floriculture, the Netherlands has taken the initiative to set up a flower mandi in Sector 52 A, Gurugram.

          In this direction, the Netherlands Ambassador to India, Mr Alphonsus Stoelinga, called on the Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Mr. O.P. Dhankar, today and held discussion on giving mutual assistance a booster dose.

          Mr Dhankar directed the officers to complete construction of the proposed flower mandi by August 15. Haryana is rapidly moving closer to the concept of peri agriculture in the National Capital Region (NCR). The flower mandi would be a part of this project.

          The Vice-Chancellor, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Prof. K.P. Singh, informed the minister that the university had worked on an integrated project of crop residue management under a pilot project, and it is expected to start by September, 2018.

          Under this project, CNG, bio-oil in the form of upgradation of CNG and ethanol would be produced from 14 tonnes of crop residue every day. The university is also carrying out research on crop residue management in coordination with the Netherlands. One research scholar from the Netherlands and two scholars from the university were also present at the meeting.

          Mr. Dhankar desired that work on the pilot projects should be executed under the Indo-Dutch Agreement. On this, the Chief Administrator, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Mr. Mandeep Singh Brar, said a team of specialists would visit Gurugram to check work on the proposed flower mandi.

          Mr. Stoelinga assured Mr. Dhankar that the Netherlands would provide full assistance to Haryana in the field of fruits, flowers, dairy and fisheries. In the second phase of the Indo-Dutch agreement, assistance would be provided for water conservation. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte, had visited India in May, and today he has visited Haryana especially to take the agreements further.

          Mr. Dhankar said the proposal of peri urban agriculture concept had been prepared keeping in view the five crore population of the NCR. In geographical terms, no other state than Haryana is closer to Delhi, and flower, fruits, vegetables and dairy products could be delivered from Haryana to the NCR area.

          He asked the officers to explore the possibilities of opening a peri urban agriculture institute in Jhajjar district under which research courses on before and after harvesting would be introduced.

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