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Punjab to boost citrus cultivation

Chandigarh: To boost citrus cultivation in the State Punjab Government will bring 5,577 acres of land under plantation in collaboration with a leading juice brand.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday, where he directed the council to provide facilities to train farmers for citrus plantation.

In this respect, the council has set up a team of skilled field force consisting of field officers, gardeners and other ground staff to train the local farmers in citrus cultivation.

The State Government has also entered into a collaboration with Pepsico-owned Tropicana to bring international technology in citrus cultivation to Punjab.

Besides, it has also agreed to stand guarantee of Rs.20 crore for leased plantation of citrus, said state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, adding that nine banks have offered to finance the project on the basis of State Government’s guarantee.

The State Government would also explore commercial avenues by inviting insurance companies to provide credit/ performance guarantee to the banks. The Finance Minister said after studying the results of this project, citrus plantation would be taken up as a major state-wide programme.- PTI

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