MUMBAI, Nov 7: Maharashtra will be a `horticulture state' by the year 2001, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi announced at the Agro-Food Tech `98 exhibition held at the NSE complex in Goregaon today.``We are aiming at increasing the output of agro-products, making farming cost-effective and taking steps to make farmers richer,'' Joshi said after inaugurating the four-day exposition, part of the Agro-Advantage Maharashtra Global Investors convention-cum-exhibition programme.``With the state government's support, farmers from Maharashtra will conquer the world market,'' he proclaimed.The event showcases modern technology for better farming, development in the field of agro-food processing, advanced horticulture techniques, floriculture and greenhouses. Stalls have also been set up by other states and countries including Israel.The chief minister said various irrigation projects, including those started by the Krishna Valley Development Corporation, would be completed soon.The alliance government has alsoincreased the financial assistance to farmers in case of crop loss from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, he pointed out.Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and Union Minister of State for Railways Ram Naik spoke about the Agro Advantage Maharashtra Global Investors Forum. Members of the state cabinet and senior bureaucrats including chief secretary P Subramaniam were present on the occasion.The NSE complex, normally used for vote-counting, wore a festive look with saffron flags, sarees and turbans dotting the ground, traditional Maharashtrian musical instruments playing in the background and a group singing Marathi folk songs.The farmers expressed interest in the innovations in farming techniques displayed at the exhibition.``I've seen part of the exhibition. It is interesting and I am sure if these techniques are implemented, there will be some improvement,'' said Laxman Mule, who grows jowar and bajra in Pathardi taluka.Vitthal Khandke fromAhmednagar district said he found the exhibition ``really helpful''.``They're telling us about new seeds, better fertilisers, marketing techniques and other things. to increase profit,'' he said.
