DELEGATION FROM CALIFORNIA, US calls on Haryana CM

New Delhi / Jalandhar, February 18, 2013 : AnAgriculture Delegation from California, US  called on Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi last evening and discussed with him about the possibility of cooperation in different fields of agriculture.

The 30 member delegation included four Deans of different Universities and 26 CEOs of Companies. The delegation was led by Karamdeep Singh Bains, Director of a District Agriculture Association.

The members of the delegation explained about the expertise they had and the technological know-how, which they could offer in the fields of agriculture farming, deep irrigation, education, power, horticulture, cold storage facilities etc.

Hooda said that Haryana is the second largest contributor of wheat to the central pool and is number one in wheat productivity. Efforts are going on to improve the  storage facilities  to reduce post-harvest losses. He also mentioned about the Working Group on Agriculture set up under his leadership by the Prime Minister and the recommendations made by the Group for improving the agriculture in the country.

Hooda said that Haryana is also known as rice bowl of the country and share of Haryana is 70 per cent in the export of Basmati rice. He also mentioned about the Gharaunda Agriculture Center, where the farmers are learning about the agricultural techniques of Israel. Main produces of Haryana are wheat, paddy, sugarcane and vegetables, besides BT Cotton, which the farmers have adopted, he said. On being asked about irrigation, Hooda said that mainly it is surface irrigation using canal water and under ground water through tube wells.

The Chief Minister suggested to the members that they could have detailed discussion with the Agriculture Minister of the State and the officers of the Agriculture Department. The delegation agreed to have a meeting in this regard on February 24 in Chandigarh.

Those present on this occasion included Chhatar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anand Mohan Saran, Addl. Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan New Delhi, Shiv Bhattia, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Haryana and Ranjit Singh.