Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar laid the foundation stone of India-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables at Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh) through video conference. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tomar said that the Central and State Governments are cooperating comprehensively for the modernization of agriculture. “It is necessary for the educated youth to be oriented towards it so that the agriculture sector moves forward faster in the future,” he said.
Shri tomar expressed happiness that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, progress is being made in Uttar Pradesh in various sectors including agriculture and the state is also contributing better to the development of the country. He also expressed happiness that the central government schemes are being implemented in Uttar Pradesh and the state has also made rapid progress in organic and natural farming. The Union Agriculture Minister expressed the hope that UP would achieve a new dimension in the field of agriculture in the coming time. As UP goes in the field of cultural heritage and scientific knowledge, it will also take the country further in the development of agriculture, he said.
Shri Tomar said that today is a historic day for Chandauli region. “A new dimension is being added on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This center is the result of the efforts of the state government. Its establishment will play an important role in the development of the district. It will also prove to be a revolutionary step in the field of agriculture in the adjoining and Bihar border districts. There will be many new opportunities for advancement through agriculture. Farmers will be able to get better yields by using the latest farming methods,” he said.
Agriculture needs to be rejuvenated
Shri Tomar said that agriculture should move forward continuously and the quality of produce should be at par with global standards. “Technological applications must move forward in this direction. To attract future generations to agriculture, agriculture needs to be rejuvenated. We all need to work seriously to shift to profitable crops, use of technology, digital farming mission, take advantage of FPO and adopt natural and organic farming. Together we will go to fulfill our priorities and commitments,” he said.
Shri Tomar hoped that the establishment of India-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables will play an important role in the development of Chandauli district as well as Purvanchal region. “Seeds and plants of improved vegetables will be grown here and distributed to farmers. Farmers can also sponsor plant development for themselves. Farmers will get many benefits in increasing vegetable production. With the use of latest farming methods, farmers will be able to get better yield and also export vegetables. A nursery of other agricultural products including vegetables will be set up at this center of excellence to promote the agriculture sector worldwide. This will not only benefit the farmers here but will help make the district globally known for vegetables and agriculture,” he said.
Setting up a Center of Excellence for Vegetables
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said that the government’s intention is that the leading area in the production of paddy and wheat can better establish itself in the production of vegetables as well. “The climate of Chandauli district, which is known as the rice bowl of UP, is suitable for setting up a Center of Excellence for Vegetables. There are 9 agro-climatic zones in the state which are favorable for growing various horticultural crops throughout the year. Cultivation of seedlings of tomato, capsicum, brinjal, chilli, cucumber, tomato, capsicum, brinjal, chilli and exotic vegetables is proposed to be done in a hi-tech climate controlled greenhouse to be set up at the Center of Excellence for Vegetables while cucumber, cauliflower , baby corn, sweet corn and exotic vegetables are proposed in the open field. Together with micro-irrigation in the wild, a trial demonstration of farming with fertigation and chemigation systems will be carried out. There will also be a demonstration of the installation of soaking, sprinkler irrigation and other applications of artificial cultures,” he said.
The foundation stone laying program was also addressed by MP Chandauli and Union Minister for Heavy Industries Shri Mahendra Nath Pandey, UP Agriculture Minister Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State for Horticulture, Shri Dinesh Pratap Singh and other public representatives. The technology for the center is being provided by Israeli experts under the India-Israel Action Plan (IIAP) with funds to build infrastructure for demonstration purposes from MIDH. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) based on Israeli technologies are being established in the states. These centers of excellence act as demonstration and training centers for the latest technologies in horticulture. It also serves as a source of planting material for fruit and vegetables in protected cultivation.
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