A loan of USD 130 million was approved by ADB for HP's Horticultural Sector

Current context: The Asian Development Bank has granted a loan worth over 1,072 crore Rupees (USD 130 million) to the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

• The loan will be used for the "Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project," aimed at boosting agricultural production, promoting horticulture businesses, and increasing farmers' income.
• The project aims to assist at least 15,000 agricultural households in seven districts of Himachal Pradesh in improving their income and adapting to the effects of climate change.
• The project will restore and build new irrigation facilities, create new water sources, and enhance the capacity of the Water Resources Department.
• The farmers will be organized into Community Horticulture Production and Marketing Associations and will be taught modern agronomic techniques, such as intercropping and beekeeping.
• A Farmer Producer Company will be established at the state level to oversee agribusiness development, create business plans, promote agribusiness, and design value-added facilities such as sorting and packaging facilities, and storage and collection facilities.

Question:

Q.1 A loan of USD 130 million was approved by ADB for which states Horticultural Sector?
a. UP
b. Himachal Pradesh
c. Karnataka
d. Assam