NHB Board Meets Under Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Chairmanship
Agriculture Minister calls for timely, transparent and farmer-centric implementation of horticulture schemes
- 33rd National Horticulture Board meeting held in New Delhi under Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
- Minister stresses timely subsidies, transparent governance and farmer-centric execution of schemes.
- Calls for strategy to reduce spoilage, extend shelf life and boost market linkages for horticulture produce.
- NHB urged to prepare state-wise roadmaps and strengthen cold-chain and post-harvest systems.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Dec: The 33rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Horticulture Board (NHB) was held on Thursday at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur, senior officials and industry representatives also attended the meeting.
Reviewing the progress of NHB schemes, Chouhan emphasised timely, transparent and farmer-centric implementation, particularly for commercial horticulture development projects, cold-chain infrastructure, the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) and the Clean Plant Programme, which provides disease-free planting material for high-value crops. He said subsidies must reach farmers on time and directed officials to ensure zero complaints in this regard.
Highlighting heavy losses faced by farmers due to quick spoilage of fruits and vegetables, the Minister called for a focused strategy to extend shelf life, strengthen post-harvest management and increase awareness to prevent wastage. “Small farmers should get maximum benefit, and their income must rise,” he said.
Chouhan also underlined the need to improve quality planting material, productivity enhancement and robust market linkages. He instructed NHB to prepare state-wise and region-wise roadmaps that integrate farmers with markets, cold-chain networks and value-addition opportunities.
During the meeting, the Minister released NHB’s technical publications on Good Agricultural Practices, organic farming models and advanced horticulture technologies, noting that these resources would support farmers, entrepreneurs and experts.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Secretary Dr Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, senior officials from various departments and non-official members from the horticulture sector, enabling broad regional inputs and participatory dialogue.
The National Horticulture Board functions under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and plays a central role in developing commercial horticulture and cold-chain infrastructure across the country.
