Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Uttarakhand Malta Festival at the State Garden Circuit House, Garhi Cantt on Saturday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced the launch of a Malta Mission to promote Malta production in the state and said that a Malta Festival would also be organized by the state in Delhi. On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami, along with his wife Mrs. Geeta Pushkar Dhami, viewed the exhibition of Malta and citrus fruits from various districts and also tasted various products made from Malta and other citrus fruits, including Malta and lemon pickles.
The Chief Minister said that Malta is connected to the identity and tradition of Uttarakhand. Horticulture can play a significant role in strengthening the state’s economy and prosperity. To realize these possibilities, the state government has launched several notable initiatives such as the Apple Mission and the Kiwi Mission. On similar lines, a Malta Mission will be launched to promote Malta production in the state.
The Chief Minister said that the government has taken many important steps for the branding of the state’s Malta and to provide it with a better market. The organization of the Malta Festival in every district of the state is a part of these efforts. He said that to give the state’s Malta national recognition, a Malta Festival will also be organized by the state in Delhi.
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with full commitment to increase the income of farmers. Farmers’ income is being increased through proper encouragement, innovation, and modern techniques in the field of agriculture and horticulture. This initiative will prove to be a game-changer in preventing migration and providing employment to the youth near their villages. The Chief Minister said that the state government is encouraging suitable farming and horticulture in accordance with local specificities.
The Chief Minister said that work is being done towards establishing orchards of Malta, apples, pears, kiwis, walnuts, peaches, and citrus fruits in the state. Special emphasis is being placed on strengthening production and marketing by developing crop-based clusters. A Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been declared for Malta and Galgal (a type of citrus fruit) in the state. The government is providing a 50 percent subsidy on plantation, 70 to 80 percent subsidy on micro-irrigation, and up to 60 percent subsidy on food processing units. Referring to the center established for aromatic plants in Selaqui, the Chief Minister said that a significant initiative has been taken to promote the cultivation of aromatic plants on a large scale in the state, thus launching a “fragrance revolution.”
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Harish, a Malta producer from Pauri Garhwal, who participated in the Malta Festival, and mentioned that he has planted approximately one thousand saplings of 53 varieties and is preparing to plant another 200 saplings this year. The Chief Minister urged other farmers to draw inspiration from him and make the government’s efforts successful in realizing the existing potential in the field of horticulture.
On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that promoting the production, processing, and marketing of local fruits like Malta will directly benefit the farmers. He said that such festivals connect farmers with new markets and also provide new opportunities for self-employment. He expressed confidence that in the next five years, Uttarakhand will be among the leading states in the country in the field of horticulture. The Agriculture Minister said that the government’s continuous effort is to encourage the production, processing, and marketing of local fruits like Malta so that its direct benefits reach the farmers of the state, and this festival is a strong testament to these efforts.
Many public representatives, officials, and farmers from various districts, including MP Naresh Bansal, MLA Savita Kapoor, Kailash Pant, Pratap Singh Panwar, and Secretary Agriculture Dr. S.N. Pandey, were also present at the event.
