The Centre has provided 80 crore rupees under National Horticulture Mission to establish 4 centres of excellence on horticulture to accelerate the production of horticultural crops in Uttar Pradesh. These centres will be established in Basti, Kannauj, Saharanpur and Agra districts. AIR Gorakhpur correspondent reports that the food processing and allied units will also be established in these areas to generate employment for the rural people.

The centres of excellence will be established in four districts at a cost of 20 crore rupees each. The centres in Basti and Kannauj will provide technical and marketing support for horticultural produce of the area. It will not only boost the income of fruit growing farmers but will also help in generating additional employment for the rural people. In Agra, the centre of excellence will cater to the needs of Potato growers and in Saharanpur, it will help mango growers. The state horticulture department has also planned to establish micro and medium food processing units in backward areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The centre has provided over 300 crore rupees for the purpose.