Bhubaneswar: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked the Directorate of Horticulture to provide post-harvest management support to the farmers engaged in production of fruits, flowers and vegetables.

Patnaik, who was inaugurating a hostel for Gardener and Grafter Trainees at the School of Horticulture at Khurda on Thursday, said development of proper market facilities for the farmers of the State is an urgent need. With post-harvest management interventions in place, the farmers would be able to get better price for their produce, he said.

The Chief Minister also launched distribution of subsidised seedlings among farmers. The seedlings of fruit spices like mango, sapota, coconut, papaya and drumstick were distributed.

While speaking at the inaugural function for the course of gardener trainees, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for developing skills among unemployed youth to take up horticultural production.

Minister of Agriculture Pradeep Maharathy, local MP Prasanna Patsani local MLA Rajendra Sahu and Principal Secretary, Agriculture RL Jamuda and Director, Horticulture Sanjeev Chadha also spoke on the occasion.