The new centre will play a significant role in boosting the development of horticulture in this region

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India has opened a centre in Madhya Pradesh. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare inaugurated the new Centre of National Horticulture Board (NHB) at Gwalior.

Madhya Pradesh, which is the second-largest state in the country, is rapidly diversifying into the horticulture sector for the last few years. It is the third-largest producer of vegetables in the country and the fifth-largest producer of fruits.

Speaking on the occasion, Tomar said, “The horticulture segment has become the sunrise sector for the state. The 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 potential of horticulture in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the new Centre of National Horticulture Board will play a significant role in boosting the development of horticulture in this region. With the opening of the centre of NHB at Gwalior, farmers not only from the Gwalior Division but also from 21 districts of Northern Madhya Pradesh including the Grid region of Gwalior and Chambal will be benefited under the schemes of the National Horticulture Board.

Tomar added, “As of now National Horticulture Board had 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 concerning the latest development in the horticulture sector.”

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

MD of NAFED Sanjiv Chadha, MD of NHB Rajbir Singh, Union Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal along with other officials virtually joined the event.