Punjab to set up two estates for litchi, pear

The Punjab government today said it will set up 'Litchi' and 'Pear' estates with the technical assistance of Italy.
Stating this, Punjab Horticulture Director Gurkawal Singh said the department has chalked out a comprehensive plan to develop Litchi estate at Pathankot and Pear estate at Amritsar in collaboration with technical experts of Italy.
He said 15-member farmer societies would run these estates.
The main purpose of setting up these estates was to harness the potential of the area specific crops to reduce the area under cultivation of paddy and wheat, as this rotation was posing a major threat to the fertility of land in agri-based state.

Gurkanwal, who was instrumental in the establishment of 5 citric estates of kinnow at Abohar, Badal, Bhunga , Hosiarpur and Tahliwala Jattan, said the horticulture department has been identifying the adjoining area of Ludhiana for floriculture centre as it was not only suited for flower production but also had huge marketing potential.
A special drive would be started from new year to engage more and more youth in bee keeping as this sector has also a big potential in Punjab for landless and unemployed youth.
Singh further said the horticulture department has also set up a potato seed plant at Dhogri near Jalandhar in collaboration with Holland in which seed would be free from 16 kinds of viruses.