Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, July 15:
Keeping in mind to contain carbon emission at greater extent and create congenial atmosphere in terms of green cover, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday kick started state level campaign for plantation of fructiferous saplings from here.
During a state level function held here, Cabinet Minister Fauja Singh Srarai launched this drive with the plantation of Mango sapling. During the event MLA Kulwant Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Horticulture Punjab Sarvjit Singh, Secretary Horticulture Gagandeep Singh Brar, Director Horticulture Punjab Shailinder Kaur and Director Agriculture Gurwinder Singh also planted Gooseberry plants.
Speaking about the drive, the Cabinet Minister said that 1.25 lakh saplings will be planted in schools, colleges, villages and cities across the State during this campaign. He said that the motive of Punjab government’s campaign is to provide nutritious food like fruits to each child and common man of State so that the drive has been launched. He informed that 12 thousand schools and public places have chosen for this drive and plants such as Mango, Blackberry, Dhaeu, Gooseberry, Guava, Papaya, Woodapple etc. will be planted on designated places.
Mr. Sarari said that we have set the target to cover one thousand acre of land with these 1.25 lakh plants in a single day. He said that planting of fructiferous saplings is essential for the sustenance of Punjab and its people as the water level in most parts of Punjab had gone down drastically. The best option for crop diversification is to plant fructiferious plants, which will not only save water but increase soil fertility as well.
Divulging about the drive, he said that fruits, vegetables and flowers are cultivated in an area of about 10.00 lakh acres in Punjab at present. It is worth mentioning that there are 2.31 lakh acres of land is under orchards in Punjab, where fruits like kinnow, litchi, nakha, guava, jaman, bill etc. were being cultivated with a total yield of 202.71 lakh quintals of fruits. Apart from this, vegetables such as Potato, Cauliflower, Carrot, Peas, Bottle Gourd, Tomato, Pumpkin Bitter Gourd, Eggplant etc. are cultivated in 7.54 lakh acres of land with gross yield of 610.95 lakh quintals.
Notably, Punjab also produces 126.76 thousand quintals of Mushrooms, besides 13.7 percent of India’s total honey. The Horticulture Department has set a target of producing 4.50 lakh fruit saplings this year and these saplings would be traceable and certified under the Punjab Fruit Nursery Act.
Punjab is the first state in India to enact legislation to implement plant certification and traceability, which will be a guiding force for other states. This year 12500 acres of land would be brought under crop diversification.
Mr. Sarari also urged to all the officers/staff present in the meeting to contribute in this campaign with missionary zeal.
Mr. Pradeep Agarwal Director General School Education Punjab and Mr. Gurwinder Singh Director Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Punjab has played vanguard role to convert this drive into a big success on grounds.
