By IANS,
Chandigarh : A fruits and vegetables market of international standard will be set up at Ganaur in Sonepat district of Haryana at an estimated cost of Rs.830 crore, it was announced here Thursday.
The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) signed an agreement here with France-based Semmaris Gressard Consultants, which would design and develop the market complex.
“French expertise would help us in the adding more value to agricultural products. Also, the farmers would get remunerative prices for their produce and consumers would get quality products,” said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Principal Secretary (agriculture) Roshan Lal said the market, to be built on 537 acres, would handle fruits, vegetables and other perishable items of 7.5 million tonnes per annum.
The National Horticulture Mission will provide financial assistance to the project.
“With the execution of this project, post harvest losses which are up to the extent of 40 per cent will be substantially reduced. There would be specific and multiple commodity hubs and they would be designed on the pattern of European markets,” said Lal.
The market would cater to the needs of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.
It would be an alternative to the Azadpur (Delhi) wholesale fruits and vegetables market, he added.