Kerala - Palakkad   

Rs.8.65-crore scheme proposed for horticulture development

Staff Reporter

Centre's assistance sought under National Horticulture Mission

PALAKKAD: The State Government has sought the Union Government's sanction for a Rs.8.65-crore scheme for the development of horticulture under the National Horticulture Mission.

The district, which has high potential for horticulture, had received Rs.3 crores for the implementation of the State Horticulture Mission for holistic development of horticulture under the National Mission in the last financial year.

The mission focusses on increasing both production and productivity through adoption of improved technologies for ensuring quality, including genetic upgrading of all horticultural crops.

Cluster approach

Special emphasis is given on adoption of area-based cluster approach for developing regionally differentiated crops.

The component of the mission are production of planting material; creation of small nurseries; tissue culture unit; vegetable seed production; seed infrastructure; establishment of new gardens; creation of water sources; protected cultivation; promotion of integrated pest management; organic farming; post-harvest management, etc.

An amount of Rs.75 lakhs is earmarked for the scheme on seed infrastructure. A sum of Rs.90 lakhs has been sought in the financial year 2006-'07 for establishing 800 hectares of mango orchard. A sum of Rs.75 lakhs has been earmarked for the rejuvenation of pepper in 500 hectares. For the creation of water sources in 10 hectares, an amount of Rs.1 crore is set apart.

An amount of Rs.20 lakhs has been earmarked for setting up a Leaf Tissue Analysis Lab and Rs.16 lakhs for a Tissue Culture Laboratory.

Rural market

Under the scheme, nine rural markets would be set up in the district at a cost of Rs.33.75 lakhs. Production and distribution of good quality seeds and planting material is an important component of the mission. The State has a network of nurseries for producing planting material, which were established through Central or State assistance.

Under the scheme the State Horticulture Mission will ensure timely availability of good quality seeds and planting materials to the farmers at a nominal price.

The scheme also envisages assistance for creating water sources through construction of community tanks, farm ponds, reservoirs with plastic lining.

The schemes also envisaged a horticulture institute with 100 per cent assistance. It will provide training to farmers and field-level functionaries.

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