National Horticulture Board Centre (NHB) inaugurated by Tomar In Gwalior

Taking further the activities and programmes of National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India set up a center in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, inaugurated the new Centre of National Horticulture Board (NHB) located in Gwalior.

NHB, which is compulsory for integrated development of hi-tech commercial horticulture and post-harvest management/cold chain infrastructure in the nation, is having centers/offices at several locations across the country and at least one center is situated in each state for implementation, monitoring and coordination of its diverse schemes and activities. Some of the bigger states such as UP and Maharashtra are having more than one center due to their larger geography and higher proportion of work.

Madhya Pradesh, which is the 2nd largest state in the Country, is rapidly diversifying into the horticulture sector in the last few years. It is the 3rd and 5th largest producer of vegetables and fruits respectively in the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Tomar averred- “The horticulture segment has become the sunrise sector for MP. Gwalior Division of Madhya Pradesh is geographically located in the Northern part of the State. Gwalior and Chambal divisions correspond to the Gird region of Madhya Pradesh.”

Given the huge possibilities of horticulture in the State of Madhya Pradesh, the new Centre of National Horticulture Board will play a vital role in reinforcing the development of horticulture in this region. With the establishment of the new Centre of NHB at Gwalior, farmers of not only the Gwalior Division but also from 21 districts of Northern Madhya Pradesh including Grid region of Gwalior and Chambal will enjoy benefits under the schemes of National Horticulture Board.

The agriculture minister further said- “As of now National Horticulture Board has only one Centre in Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal. However, keeping in view the huge geographical area of the State and physical distances of several districts and areas from Bhopal, farmers usually find it very difficult to avail the benefits of the schemes of NHB and technical guidance with respect to latest development in horticulture sector.”

Bharat Singh Kushwaha, Madhya Pradesh Food Processing Minister (Independent Charge) and Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar, MP of Gwalior expressed their gratitude to the union agriculture minister for opening NHB centre in the Gwalior region.

The inaugural event was also attended by Jila Panchayat Chairman Manisha Yadav, local representatives and farmers. Managing director, Nafed Sanjiv Chadha, managing director, NHB Rajbir Singh, Union agriculture secretary Sanjay Agarwal along with other officials also joined the event virtually.