Agritech meet to woo investors for horticulture deals
Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM), to be held in Kota from May 24 to 26, will provide a platform for investors to explore horticultural projects, officials said.
The Kota division — comprising Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi and Baran districts —is a hub of horticultural crops.
“Kota is the world’s largest producer of coriander; the division accounts for 95% of the herb production in Rajasthan,” said Neelkamal Darbari, state principal secretary, agriculture and horticulture. “A newer variety of coriander with higher oil concentration can be introduced in the division.”
Storage and post-harvest management of coriander need to be improved. Manufacturing pharmaceuticals with coriander as an ingredient, and branding and marketing of the produce can be explored by investors, Darbari said. “The division is also the fourth largest producer of oranges and garlic in India. A growing production of garlic should attract processing units.” she said. “There is scope for investment in setting up cold storage structures, processing dehydrated garlic, producing its flakes and powder, and manufacturing medicines based on the crop.”
The Kota region recorded 98% of the state’s orange production in 2015-2016, she said.
The division has a centre of excellence (CoE) focused on citrus fruits at Nanta in Kota district. “There are opportunities in production, storage and processing of citrus fruits. There is potential for production of new varieties of oranges, such as Valencia and Jaffa, with higher pulp content,” Darbari said.
Investors can take up branding and marketing of local crops. Production of value-added products, such as orange puree and juice concentrate, is also another area for investment, officials said. The division contributes 24% of guava production in the state. Most farmers sell the produce locally in the absence of a procurement channel. Investors can explore production of guava jams, jellies and juices, officials said. “Strawberry, pomegranate and dragon fruit can be grown in the division to improve farmers’ income,” Darbari said.
“Cultivation of medicinal plants, such as ashwagandha and Isabgol, can be promoted in the Kota division because of its favourable conditions.”
GRAM will be organised by the state government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).