2 days ago
Nagpur included in ‘Clean Plant' project to provide disease free seedlings to farmers
Nagpur: The Union agriculture ministry has included Nagpur in its 'Clean Plant' project, which aims to provide disease-free seedlings to farmers. A total of nine clean plants will be set up in India, of which three will be in Maharashtra.
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The ₹300 crore project aims to nurture nurseries. While announcing the project at an event in Pune on Tuesday, Union agriculture minister
said 'Clean Plant' projects will be started in Pune for grapes, in Nagpur for oranges, and in Solapur for pomegranates.
The Central government will provide ₹3 crore for large nurseries and ₹1.5 crore for medium-sized nurseries. "Through these nurseries, 8 crore disease-free seedlings will be available to farmers every year.
Also, cooperation from countries like Israel and the Netherlands will be taken to implement this program," said Chouhan.
He further stated that scientists work in laboratories to produce good seeds, increase production, and diagnose diseases. However, their research does not reach the farmers in a timely manner. To bridge this gap, the government is trying to bring scientists and farmers together through 'Lab to Land'.
"The Central government has taken an important decision that 16,000 scientists from across the country will come out of laboratories and work directly with farmers and the agriculture department," Chouhan said.
Chouhan also said that there is a misconception that the youth do not want to enter the agricultural sector. "The youth must use their skills and enter the agricultural sector to initiate startups." He also expressed the need to develop seed varieties that are adaptable to climate change to avoid damage. He assured that the government will leave no stone unturned to solve every problem of the farmers," said Chouhan.
