Uttarakhand government plans to brand, market produce

NEW DELHI: Ranikhet Apples, Munsiyari Potatoes and Mukteshwar Plums could soon become popular brand names of fruits and vegetables, as the Uttarakhand government is planning to brand and market produce on the basis of their place of origin in the state.
Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said the Uttarakhand government is setting up around 10,000 organic clusters across the mountainous state. “If a product originates in Munsiyari, it will have “Munsiyari” branding on it.Same goes for products originating in Joshimath,” said Rawat.
While talking about various government initiatives in the state, Rawat said, scientists in Uttarakhand has started work on pine needles that are one of the major reasons behind devastating forest fires in the state.
“Scientists are trying to figure out how to produce fuel from pine needles that could in turn be used to create electricity,” he said.