category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh With the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann s vision to uplift the economic status of Punjab s farmers, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Horticulture Minister, Punjab held a meeting to discuss the possibilities for promoting the export of horticultural crops especially potato, Kinnow, Chilli and litchi and quality production, marketing and processing of various other horticultural crops. Discussions were held by the Minister with the officials of Horticulture Department as well as progressive farmers of different districts of Punjab. In this meeting, the officials and farmers present on the occasion gave suggestions regarding the possibilities and upcoming difficulties related to the export of these horticultural crops. In this meeting, progressive farmers Pardeep Kumar, Balwinder Singh, Hardeep Singh Ghagga, Pawan Jot Singh and other progressive farmers were also present. Jauramajra explained the importance of various horticultural crops for export and the benefits of the cluster approach being adopted by the department. He told about the achievements of the Chilli cluster set up at District Ferozepur under the PHASE. Stating the potential of Punjab to export potato, Chilli, Kinnow and litchi and he proposed the idea of bringing other major crops of Punjab under the cluster approach in the near future. The farmers from different districts expressed the difficulties in marketing the crops cultivated in their respective areas and requested the minister to resolve these issues. They also emphasized about the challenges being faced by them in export of the horticulture produce. The major constraints raised by them were ; suitable varities of Chilli and Potato; Cold storage and drying facilities for chilli; processing infrastructure for Guava and Chilli. They also raised issue on increasing export facilities at Amritsar Airport. In the meeting, a delegation of traders and exporters from Dubai extended helping hand to the farmers in direct marketing of their produce.Farmers were encouraged by Jauramajra to have direct deliberations with the delegation so that they are able to export directly to the International market through Dubai.The members of the delegation were very much impressed with the efforts of the Punjab government in the horticulture sector.On this occasion, the officials and entrepreneurs also gave suggestions to improve export facilities. In the meeting, the Minister appreciated the cluster approach being implemented by the Department to promote the cultivation of chillies and said that with the implementation of cluster approach, the farmers can increase their yield and will get a better price and at the same time they will be able to sell their produce in far-flung markets . Director Horticulture Shailender Kaur explained in detail about the current production and possibilities of increasing production. Apart from this, she also told about the efforts being made by the department for this purpose. (editor dailyworld.in)