Rajendra Agriculture University and Bihar Agriculture University vice-chancellor ML Chaudhury at the news meet in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Jan. 27: The state government has decided to promote poultry and horticulture in Naxalite-hit Munger, said M.L. Chaudhary, the vice-chancellor of Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa, and Bihar Agriculture University, Sabaur.

Cultivation of cash crops like fruits, vegetables and flowers would also be added, he said.

He made the announcement today at Bihar Veterinary College after meeting chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Chaudhary also said: “The state government has given the go ahead to promote poultry and horticulture under the National Horticulture Mission in Naxalite-hit districts like Munger and Jamui. To make this programme a success, we have given two goats and 30 hens each to more than 25 farmers.”

“Rajendra Agriculture University and Bihar Agriculture University will help the farmers avail of the latest technology. We have also spoken to the superintendents of police of Munger and Jamui to get administrative support. They have welcomed the move. In the third week of February all the farmers will be invited to Patna to discuss the issue in a broader perspective,” said Chaudhary.

He also said: “This is just the beginning: The state government has made the road map for 2015. By that time the production of agriculture will increase by 70 per cent at all levels. Lack of information and technology are obstacles but the training programme provided to the farmers will surely help increase production.”

Chaudhary said the state government would also open seven new colleges, like College of Environmental Science and Climatology and College of Entrepreneurship for the dissemination of knowledge and understanding of agriculture production.

This would be done under the National Horticulture Mission launched as a Centre-sponsored scheme to promote a holistic growth of the horticulture sector through area-based regionally differentiated strategies.

He also said: “Horticulture would be promoted at all levels — from block level to village level. It is Nitish’s dream mission.”

“The production has increased in the past five years. In the next five years, Bihar would be at the top in the agriculture sector, as we have already started the production of strawberries,” said Chaudhary.

To promote the horticulture in the state, Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa, Horticulture Society and Bihar Agricultural University, Sabaur, is going to jointly organise a two-day seminar on horticulture on the premises of Bihar Veterinary College. The seminar would begin tomorrow.

Talking about the motive of the two-day seminar, Chaudhary said: “We want that farmers of the state to have adequate knowledge about the crops to increase production. That is why we have invited eminent scientists and experts to brief them. The farmers must buy good crops and plants from the university to avoid bad quality of seeds. They shall get the best from us.”

“The other motive behind organising this seminar is to increase the production of flowers. This is not happening at present. The flower business is also increasing as it is being used in the temples. Flowers like marigold would be given top priority. In this seminar, farmers will be informed about the modern technique because until and unless they use such technology it is not possible to improve the productivity in the agriculture sector,” said Chaudhary.