Tamil Nadu

“Horticultural crops to be developed in large scale”

THENI: Horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, aromatic plants and flowers will be developed in large scale this year under special schemes of National Horticulture Mission at an estimated cost of Rs.5.76 crore.

To conserve water and boost production, micro irrigation at a cost of Rs.7.93 crore will also be promoted simultaneously, according to collector Har Sahay Meena.

He was delivering the keynote address at the agriculturists’ grievances day meeting held here on Friday.

Vegetable seeds would be distributed at 50 per cent subsidy to farmers under the integrated horticulture development programme along with these special schemes this year. A sum of Rs.8.33 lakh had been granted for this purpose. Financial assistance would be given for cultivation of annual crop like banana, long-term crops, cut flowers, coco and aromatic plants. Establishment of poly green houses, implementation of integrated fertiliser and pest management and organic farming would also be funded through this scheme, he added.

“Our aim is to massively expand the cultivation area under horticulture crops.”

Efforts were on to expand cotton cultivation area in the district. Already new cotton variety has been introduced to farmers recently.

At present, cotton cultivation area was 806 hectares only. Demonstration on new variety will be shown to farmers shortly, he announced. A seminar will be organised to boost sugarcane cultivation also as sugarcane was raised in 10, 117 hectares this year. The Forest Department will dig drenches and fix solar fence along reserve forests to prevent movement of wild animals.

Mr. Meena also ordered agriculture officials to inspect stock of seeds and fertilisers. “If anybody created artificial shortage of fertiliser supply, fertilisers would be supplied through self help groups. A fertiliser sellers’ meet will be convened on December 4 in Theni.

The district had received 109.8 mm winter rain and 159.63 mm summer rain, 221.8 mm rain through southwest monsoon and 327.26 mm rain in during northeast monsoon till October. Area under paddy cultivation this year was 6,156 hectares, small grains 37,616 hectares, pulses 23,070 hectares and oil seeds 5,992 hectares.

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