The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Aam Mahotsav (Mango Festival) held in Haridwar, where he inspected an exhibition of diverse mango varieties and interacted directly with farmers and horticulturists.

Context

Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami underscored the quality of locally grown mangoes: 'Haridwar ke aam swad aur gunvatta ke mamle mein kisi se kam nahin hain' ('Haridwar's mangoes are second to none in taste and quality'). He described the multi-variety exhibition as a showcase of Uttarakhand's rich horticultural potential, noting that such events bridge the gap between farm produce and public awareness.

The Chief Minister stated that honouring the hard work and sweat of farmers is the state government's priority, and that the government is continuously working to increase farmers' incomes and promote agriculture and horticulture across the state.

Policy Backdrop

CM Dhami highlighted several ongoing schemes. Under the Apple Mission, the state government is providing subsidies of 70 to 80 per cent to encourage fruit cultivation. Alongside this, initiatives including the Kiwi Mission, Dragon Fruit production, Mahak Kranti (Fragrance Revolution), and industries based on aromatic and medicinal plants are also being actively promoted.

The Chief Minister credited the 'Himalayan Brand', launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with giving distinct national and global recognition to products prepared by matrishakti (women's self-help groups) of Uttarakhand. He noted that better quality and attractive packaging are steadily raising the brand value of local products.

On Minimum Support Price, Dhami stated that the state government has done 'remarkable work' in ensuring farmers receive MSP benefits — a commitment that frames the festival as more than ceremonial, situating it within a broader rural-income agenda.

Stakeholders and Impact

Farmers and horticulturists from Haridwar and surrounding areas stand to benefit most directly from the subsidy programmes highlighted at the event. The festival provided a platform for growers to engage with senior officials and communicate ground-level concerns about market access and pricing.

CM Dhami also cited Uttarakhand's emergence as a leading state in sectors including sustainable development, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, tourism, investment, and mining. He noted that the Government of India awarded the state Rs 200 crore for outstanding work in the mining sector — a figure the Chief Minister used to illustrate the state's broader development momentum.

The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Ram Singh Kaira and Pradeep Batra, former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand, BJP Haridwar District President Ashutosh Sharma, Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaisal, Roorkee Mayor Anita Aggarwal, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, senior police and administrative officials, BJP functionaries, and a large number of local residents.

What's Next

The state government's emphasis on the Apple Mission, Kiwi Mission, Dragon Fruit, and medicinal plant industries signals that the next phase will focus on subsidy disbursement and value-chain development for non-traditional Himalayan produce. Potential Geographical Indication registrations and export promotion for Haridwar mangoes and aromatic plant products remain areas to watch.

As Uttarakhand continues to position itself as a multi-sector leader among Himalayan states, district-level festivals like the Aam Mahotsav are increasingly being used as policy communication tools — linking rural producers directly to national branding frameworks and government subsidy pipelines.