Mashobra (Solan) : Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today inaugurated the Apple Fair at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station (RHR&TS), Mashobra working under Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.The Governor observed different varieties of apple displayed in the Field Gene Bank collection of apple varieties.
He also visited high density apple production technology demonstration farm and apple orchard developed under natural farming. He also inaugurated the medicinal garden in the center and planted a sapling of absinthe (Chirayata).Later, while addressing the Kisan Mela, the Governor said that Horticulture University, Nauni would be developed as a training center for natural farming, where farmers and orchardists not only from the State but from all over the country could get training.
He said that the farmers who were adopting natural farming were setting an example for others. These farmers have shown the direction to the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Himachal in his speeches because of these farmers, he added. He appreciated the efforts of the State Government and especially the contribution of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he said that in view of his seriousness of the subject, natural farming was taken forward in the year 2018 in the State.
The Governor asked to increase the number of farmers and orchardists in natural farming. He said that these farmers were leading the nation and their efforts were in the interest of the country. He added that we could proudly say that we have given direction to the country in the field of natural farming during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
In this national spirit, he appealed to all the farmers to hoist the Tricolor at their homes from August 13 to 15 under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.Rakesh Kanwar , Secretary Agriculture, welcomed the Governor and said that Subhash Palekar Natural Farming, implemented by the State Government, was a program to be adopted voluntarily by the horticulturists.
He said that through it an alternative practice has been given to the farmers. The focus was on production and productivity as well as on the healthy products to the consumers. He said that our climate was affected due to excessive use of chemicals in the field. He gave detailed information related to natural farming.
Earlier, Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni honored the Governor and said that it would be his endeavor that the ‘Package of Practice’ of natural farming was available to the horticulturists at the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Center, Mashobra itself. He urged the orchardists to revive their traditional plants.
Dr. Dinesh Thakur, Associate Director, Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station Mashobra presented a vote of thanks.Secretary Horticulture Amitabh Awasthi, Secretary to Governor Rajesh Sharma, Director Research Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Chouhan, officers of Horticulture and Agriculture Department, farmers and orchardists from different districts and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.