India is planning to organise horticulture fairs to showcase a variety of its produce in the Gulf Region to boost exports, Union minister of state for agriculture KV Thomas said today.
The Gulf offers a huge export potential, he told reporters after inaugurating the 'Orange Festival' at the 3rd Inter-State Horticulture Fair at the famous botanical gardens, Lal Bagh, here.
A total of Rs1,200 crore has been allocated for the National Horticulture Mission out of which Rs700 crore has already been spent by different states, Thomas said.
"On the basis of the amount spent by the state,government will release additional funds if required", he said.
The government has been conducting horticulture fairs in differrent parts of the country to provide farmers a common platform to exchange technical knowhow about the latest technologies, Thomas said.
To a question on diseases afflicting certain fruits including orange, he said the matter has been referred to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
India is one of the world's biggest producers of horticultural products growing nearly 11% of all the world's vegetables and 15% of all fruit, he said.
Farmers from different states including Punjab, Maharashtra and North-East are participating in the fair.
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