Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 3 Aug: A special event was organised on Monday at Picture Palace Chowk, here, as part of the Uttarakhand government’s initiative to promote agriculture and horticulture in hill regions.
During the event, the state’s Agriculture and Horticulture Minister, Ganesh Joshi, distributed 1,500 fruit-bearing saplings of various species to local residents. The Horticulture Department also provided people high-quality seeds, fertilisers, and technical information related to horticulture.
A large number of local residents, farmers, women, and youths participated in the event. Upon receiving the saplings, people pledged to plant them at their homes and in their fields. Ganesh Joshi stated that the Uttarakhand government has set a target to distribute 1 million (10 lakh) fruit-bearing saplings across the state this year; the distribution of 1,500 saplings in Mussoorie is part of this campaign. He remarked that the government’s objective is not merely to distribute saplings but to connect people with fruit production, nutrition, and opportunities for additional income. He mentioned that the Agriculture Department had previously provided farmers with high-quality pea seeds to enable better yields. People are also being encouraged to grow vegetables near their homes so that family needs can be met locally and their income increased. The Minister noted that migration is one of Uttarakhand’s biggest challenges. He stated that if better opportunities for agriculture, horticulture, and self-employment are provided in villages, people can earn a dignified livelihood while staying in their own villages. He added that the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments are continuously experimenting to link farmers with modern farming techniques and boost their income. He said the government is promoting fruit and vegetable production and high-value crops alongside traditional farming. This will strengthen the economy of the hilly regions and create new employment opportunities for villagers.
During the event, Ganesh Joshi also spoke candidly on political issues. He stated that while the opposition is constantly attempting to corner him and the government through various means, the people of Mussoorie stand firmly by his side. He noted that the opposition holds no sway in the Mussoorie assembly constituency, and the public supports the government based on its development initiatives.
Responding to a question about the 2027 assembly elections, Ganesh Joshi remarked that his contest is not against any opposition party, but rather against his own past performance; his goal is to surpass the level of public support and the victory margin achieved previously. Efforts are continuously underway to drive development, engage with the public, and resolve citizens’ grievances. He emphasised that the government’s objective extends beyond merely winning elections; it aims to make Uttarakhand’s villages economically robust. He added that making agriculture and horticulture profitable could go a long way in curbing the serious issue of migration. Several individuals were present on the occasion, including Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani, Mandal President Rajat Agarwal, Gud Mohan Rana, Vijay Vindwal, Kushal Rana, Dhanprakash Agarwal, and Sachin Pawar.
