DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously working to make the farmers of the state more prosperous and to strengthen the economic aspect. To fulfill the same purpose, Minister of Defense Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters, and Horticulture Mohinder Bhagat held a review meeting at Chandigarh on Monday with officials regarding the various works and schemes being run by the Horticulture Department for the welfare of farmers.

During this meeting, Special Chief Secretary Horticulture, Mr. K. A. P. Sinha, informed the Minister about the farmers cultivating the Center of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur (Jalandhar), Center of Excellence for Potato, Dhogri (Jalandhar), Pathankot, and lychee orchards and sericulture. During the meeting, Horticulture Director Shailinder Kaur gave information about the work of the department and various schemes being run in the interest of farmers.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat emphasized to the officials of Horticulture Department to convey the current schemes being run for the welfare of farmers to the farmers. The minister said that special camps will be organized to convey the farmer welfare schemes to the farmers so that the farmers can get more information about the farmer welfare schemes of the state government. On this occasion, the minister appealed to the farmers to adopt horticulture occupations.

During the meeting, Director of Horticulture Shalinder Kaur informed that the Department of Horticulture is the nodal agency for the state under the Government of India's Agriculture Infrastructure Fund scheme. She stated that under this scheme, the department received its first award from the Government of India, which the Minister expressed satisfaction. The Director of Horticulture stated that efforts are being made to promote the sericulture scheme in the state, focusing on the production of tussar silk in addition to mulberry and eri silk. The minister has instructed that this occupation should be further encouraged. To establish Punjab as a hub for potato seed production, the minister ordered that a meeting will be held soon with potato

seed growers.

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat stated that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of farmers. He emphasized that the state government will provide all possible assistance to farmers in activities that enhance their income.

Secretary Horticulture Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Director Horticulture Harmel Singh and Harpreet Singh Sethi were present during this meeting.
(editor@dailyworld.in)