Date:30/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/30/stories/2006013002440300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

More farmers taking up horticulture in Belgaum

Staff Correspondent

DOING THE HONOURS: North Karnataka Development Commissioner V. Umesh presenting the trophy to Ranjit Mishra, winner of a competition, at the valedictory function of the horticulture and flower show in Belgaum on Saturday night.

BELGAUM: Despite fluctuating prices of horticultural produce and lack of an organised marketing network, the district continues to be one of the major players in the State with an annual income of Rs. 350 crores.

Belgaum Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer M.E. Shivalingmurthy, who was addressing a gathering at the valedictory function of the three-day horticulture and flower show here on Saturday, said 60,000 hectares of land in Belgaum district is under horticultural crops.

He noted that more farmers are taking to horticultural crops. The climatic and soil conditions of the district provide good scope for cultivation of horticultural crops, which provide better returns to farmers in a short period of time, he added. Along with horticulture, farmers can take up sericulture, inland fishing and dairy development, he said.