Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh’s efforts to promote horticulture are yielding good results, with Mandi district emerging as a hub for production of high quality fruit saplings, including exotic varieties. The Nursery Management Society of the Horticulture Department under Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project has developed apple, apricot and plum saplings, which are now being cultivated in Mandi and distributed to other areas. On December 5, a delegation from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Leh-Ladakh University visited the fruit extension centres at Janjehli, Samrahan, Harabagh and Rich Nursery Nandi at Seraj.
They inspected the high quality saplings developed by the department. Dr Sanjay Gupta, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, informed that 2,645 grafted apple saplings – varieties such as Red Velox, Gala Sinka Red, Galawal, Redlam Gala and Dark Baron Gala – were distributed, along with 100 apricot saplings, 100 plum saplings and 300 rootstock saplings (Bud-9, Bud-10 and Bud-118). These saplings worth Rs 5,25,020 were supplied to Leh-Ladakh University. Dr Gupta emphasized that the department’s ability to produce and distribute premium planting material across the states is a significant milestone for Mandi district and Himachal Pradesh. This success reflects the state’s dedication towards horticultural innovation and makes it a leader in advanced fruit production techniques.
