Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Sushri Kusum Mahdele has said that parks and gardens can provide better sources of income to farmers and citizens. People need to be promoted for farming of fruits and flowers. Sushri Mahdele was inaugurating Horticulture and Flower Festival under Swarn Kranti Abhiyan at Rose Garden here today.
Sushri Mahdele said that in the first phase of the campaign, Horticulture and Flower Festival is being held in all 51 districts of the state. Till next February, 15 lakh saplings of fruit bearing trees and one crore of flowers will be planted benefiting 20 lakh farmers. Besides, a programme will also be launched to develop 20 lakh nano orchards-cum-nurseries. Under it, farmers will grow fruit bearing trees and flowers in their Badis to get nutrients and increase income. Farmers also have played important role in the state being conferred Krishi Karman Award consecutively. He suggested to municipal corporation to re-introduce age-old tradition of “marriage of trees” to increase number of trees.
Mayor Shri Alok Sharma said that along with Smart City, Bhopal will also have identity of Flower City. Flower beds will be developed along major roads in the city. Cooperation of people will be sought to decorate the city with flowers. “Garden at Call” scheme has been introduced to help people grow flowers in their kitchen gardens. SMS facility under the scheme will also be started soon. Chairman of Municipal Corporation Shri Surjeet Singh Chouhan said that cooperation of Horticulture Department will be sought for Smart City.
Principal Secretary Horticulture Shri Praveer Krishna said that 20 lakh farmers are being connected with Swarn Kranti Abhiyan. He informed that Rs. 2 lakh to 20 lakh can be earned by growing flowers. At Rose Garden, facility of Garden at Call, testing of fruits and vegetables, food processing and training is being started. Any person can call phone number 2553655 and mobile number 9425378167 to seek assistance to plant saplings, lawn at his house and upkeep of garden. He informed that the festival will continue till September 15.
Earlier, Sushri Kusum Mahdele performed Bhumi Poojan of She-Lounge and flagged off Garden at Call vehicle. He also inaugurated Flower Festival by planting sapling of flower, Fruit & Vegetable Testing and Food Processing Training Center. The Minister and the Mayor inspected nursery and Sawan Ke Jhule etc. Director Horticulture proposed a vote of thanks. A number officers and people were also present.