To recognize the apples of Uttarakhand, for the first time, the government is organizing an International Apple Festival. The Horticulture Department has completed preparations for this festival to be held from September 24 to 26 at Ranger College Ground, Dehradun. Companies from many countries including Turkey, Nigeria including Adani Group will also participate in the festival. This will encourage Uttarakhand apple for marketing. 

Horticulture Director Dr. HS Baweja informed that different varieties of apples will be displayed in the three-day international festival. In this, progressive farmers of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir including Uttarakhand will display the products. Various competitions will also be organized in the festival. This also includes the packaging of apples and their products. 

In the technical session, farmers will be given information about new technology along with apple production. In this, experts from Pantnagar Agricultural University, University of Horticulture, Bharsar, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh will deliver lectures on the topic of promoting apple production. On September 24, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will inaugurate the apple festival. While the program will be presided over by Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Subodh Uniyal. 

Annual turnover of 3250 crores of Horticulture crops in Uttarakhand
There is 2.96 lakh hectare area under horticulture crops in the state. In this 4.50 lakh farmers produce horticulture crops. The annual turnover of horticultural crops in the state is 3250 crores. Apple is grown on 25785 hectares of land. More than 62 thousand metric tonnes are produced in the state every year. Uttarkashi district is the leading district in apple production.

News Source By: Amar Ujala