Union Minister, Shri Nitin Gadkari, visits NRCC

The Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari, visited the National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC) farm experiments, containerized nursery facility and laboratories during his visit at NRCC. The Union Minister emphasized that there is a need to produce organic citrus of uniform and good quality so that growers get better price in international market. Shri Gadkari exhorted growers for rainwater-harvesting, groundwater recharging, and cautioned farmers about excessive use of water from tube-wells. The Union Minister also released three publications concerning improved nursery practices and value addition from fruits available in Amravati districts. The Union Minister assured all help to citrus growers through e-governance as well as for marketing of Nagpur Oranges through facilities of Railways and Air-lines.

Dr S. Ayyappan (Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR) informed that it is agreed that NRC for Citrus to be upgraded as Central Research Institute on Citrus (CRIC) with regional stations in the XII Five-Year Plan. He assured that for better services to the citrus growers, the fund and staff of the Institute will be further strengthened. Dr Anil Bonde (an MLA from Morshi) suggested that a mantra like ‘Arogayacha maha mantra, Roj kha ek santra’ should be used as marketing slogan and explained various health benefits of consuming orange, so that demand increases and growers get better returns.

(Source: NRCC, Nagpur)