LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met strawberry cultivator Gurleen Chawla on Monday and asked her to encourage other farmers in Bundelkhand to explore agricultural diversification.
After the meeting, Chawla, who was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann ki Baat programme for the miracle of growing strawberries in the parched, arid Bundelkhand, said, “The CM said we should promote strawberry cultivation and organic farming in Bundelkhand. I will do my best to take it forward.”
The CM said organic farming needs to be promoted for which laboratories should be set up to help farmers in the state.
Referring to the cultivation of dragon fruit in Sultanpur and strawberries in Jhansi, the CM said progressive farmers were growing crops which were believed to be non-cultivable in their areas and directed the horticulture department to publicise their work.
While inaugurating the strawberry festival in Bundelkhand on January 17, the CM had said strawberry cultivation would give a new identity to the region.