PATIALA:To promote Guava fruit and prosucts made from it, under its adoption as 'One District One Product' by Patiala district, Horticulture Department in coordination with District Administration, today, organized the first ever Guava Festival at Barandari Bagh, Patiala. In this festival, progressive farmers who plants Guava fruits, exhibited tge products made from Guava fruit that attracted most of the people.
Mr Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, who specially Visited the Guava Festival, said that working with the systematic plan of the Prime Minister's Small Food Processing Units, Patiala district had been chosen for Guava fruit products and today in this festival, progressive farmers of the district have showcased products including Guava syrup, Chutney, Sweets and Guava candies which have not only promoted the guava orchards in the district but also Will give boost to the processing based industry.
He said that the main objective of the festival was to create coordination among the departments, farmers and industry so that the ODOP (One District One Product) scheme could be made a success in the district. Liaise with processing companies to market guava products on a large scale.
During a seminar conducted on this occasion, Director Horticulture Dr Gulab Singh Gill apprised about the schemes being run by the Horticulture Department that in Patiala district up to 35 percent subsidy was being given to the entrepreneurs for preparing of Guava products for required infrastructure such as building, warehouse, cold store, processing unit.
Addressing the farmers during the function, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Dr Preeti Yadav said that such fairs not only create new avenues for the progressive farmers but also encourage the farmers who cultivate conventional crops to start other occupations. He said that the farmers were getting information about the facilities being provided by various departments at such places and at the same time the lectures of the experts were resolving their queries. A seminar on Guava Cultivation, Marketing & Processing was also organized on the occasion, in which the experts gave detailed information to the working farmers and the farmers who yet to start the work, in detail.
During the Guava Festival, students of Food Processing and Agriculture Departments of various colleges and universities participated and got information from experts. In addition to Guava products, rose products, strawberry products, honey, RSETI handicrafts, products prepared organically, Gluten free products, fruit products, innovative food processing machines attracted farmers and youth. Participants were also apprised of the schemes being run by the Fisheries Department, NABARD, SBI, Industries Department and the schemes of Horticulture Department including 'Guava Estate' being set up at Vajidpur. Varieties of Guava were also displayed. During the event, the 'Guava Fun Zone and Selfie Point' set up by the Punjab Skill Development Mission, also attracted the attention of the people.
Students of various colleges and universities participating in the festival, were also briefed about the employment fairs and skill development courses being organized by the District Employment Bureau in the month of September by setting up a special stall.
On this occasion, SDM Patran, Dr Ankurjit Singh (Additional Charge Dudhansadh), Deputy Director, Horticulture Dr Nirwant Singh, Horticulture Officer Kulwinder Singh were also present.