Minister Arjun Singh Inspects Cinchona Diversification Projects

West Bengal Labour and Transport Minister Arjun Singh visited various diversification projects managed by the Cinchona Directorate in Darjeeling on Monday. He was accompanied by Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista during the inspection of the region. The visit focused on reviewing the progress of new agricultural and horticultural initiatives that are currently being implemented in the hills.

Inspection of Herbal and Nursery Projects

During the visit, the minister inspected the Herbal Haven and the Cinchona nursery. The officials reviewed the orange grafting techniques and the current status of the strawberry plant nurseries. These plantations, which historically focused primarily on quinine production, are now expanding their operations to include medicinal plants, high-value flowers, and diverse gardening projects. The primary goal of these initiatives is to modernize the existing agricultural infrastructure in the Darjeeling hills.

Focus on Employment and Economic Growth

Minister Arjun Singh stated that the adoption of modern nursery techniques and the cultivation of high-value crops like oranges, strawberries, orchids, and kiwi are creating new employment opportunities for local workers. By diversifying the crops, the Cinchona Directorate aims to improve the livelihoods of the workforce while simultaneously preserving the region's rich medicinal heritage. This shift towards a broader range of products is designed to strengthen the role of Darjeeling in India's agricultural and wellness sectors. The news was originally reported by Hindusthan Samachar.