Call for Farmers to Take Advantage of Training Under the Integrated Horticulture Development Campaign

Mumbai : To provide farmers with knowledge on advanced crop production techniques, post-harvest management, and to promote exports, farmers will be trained under the Integrated Horticulture Development Campaign. As part of the Human Resource Development program, each trainee will receive ₹1,000 per day for participating in residential training programs lasting 3 to 5 days. Dr. K.P. Mote, Director of the Horticulture and Medicinal Plants Board, has urged farmers to take full advantage of this training opportunity.

For the year 2024-25, farmer training programs will be implemented under the Human Resource Development component of the Integrated Horticulture Development Campaign. A fund of ₹56 lakh has been approved for this initiative.

Under this program, training sessions, practical demonstrations, and visits to the farms of successful and progressive farmers will be organized for farmers, field officers, and staff. The National Institute of Post-Harvest Technology Management (NIPHT) in Talegaon Dabhade will conduct the program in Thane, Pune, Kolhapur, and Amravati divisions.

Training will be provided through various institutions, including the Agricultural Science Center in Baramati, the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) in Nashik, Anand Niketan Agricultural College in Warora, the Alphonso Mango Quality Center in Dapoli, the Pomegranate Quality Center in Rahuri, the Kesar Mango Quality Center in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and the Orange Quality Center in Nagpur.

Farmers will receive training on several key topics, including fruit and vegetable nursery management, agricultural trade policies and export information, rejuvenation of old orchards (mango, chikoo, orange, and sweet lime), cultivation of dragon fruit and geranium, innovative crop production techniques, medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, greenhouse and polyhouse management, horticulture export training courses, post-harvest management (fruits and vegetables), and crop-specific cultivation and processing (pomegranate, turmeric, and ginger).

During the training program, farmers will be provided with materials, tea, meals, and accommodation. Interested farmers are encouraged to contact the respective institutions listed below or reach out to their nearest agricultural office for further information (contact phone numbers provided in parentheses):

• National Institute of Post-Harvest Technology Management (NIPHT), Pune (Vishwas Janav – 0211-4223980 / 9423085894)
• Agricultural Science Center, Baramati, Pune (Yashwantrao Jagdale – 0211-2255227 / 9623384287)
• National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), Nashik (Dr. P.K. Gupta – 9422497764)
• Anand Niketan Agricultural College, Warora, Chandrapur (Dr. Anil Bhogave – 9579313179)
• Alphonso Mango Quality Center, Dapoli (Dr. Mahesh Kulkarni – 8275392315)
• Pomegranate Quality Center, Rahuri (Dr. Subhash Gaikwad – 9822316109)
• Kesar Mango Quality Center, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Dr. G.M. Waghmare – 7588537696)
• Orange Quality Center, Nagpur (Dr. Vinod Raut – 9970070946)

Dr. K.P. Mote, Director of the Horticulture and Medicinal Plants Board, has urged farmers to take advantage of this opportunity by contacting the relevant institutions for more details.