Horticulture mission sets sights high

LUDHIANA: District authorities have proposed a Rs 3-crore plan for developing orchards here and sought funding from National Horticulture Mission. The department of horticulture had failed to fully utilize the amount it received from the NHM for the year 2008-09. In 2009-10, it was able to spend Rs 1.2 crore and clear the balance sheet. As a result, NHM authorities have given greater responsibility to the district department.The mission was started in 2006 with a motive to promoteholistic growth of orchards for fruits, vegetables, root and tubercrops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa. Centreprovides 85% of the funding and states are supposed to pay 15% as part ofit.District horticulture officer Harmail Singh said NHM wasattracting both small and big farmers. "Small farmers are opting togrow vegetables whereas big and more educated ones are going in forfloriculture. From this year, we are also going to offer subsidy forconstructing multi-chamber cold stores," he added.Scheduled Castefarmers are also getting relief from NHM amounting to Rs 5,000 per acre.Agriculturists with big farms are also interested in horticulture. Polyhousenets are much sought-after and farmers constantly avail of subsidy for those. Toinstall a polyhouse, government gives 50% subsidy on 1,000 sq mts of netting. Ithelps farmers cultivate perennial and non-perennial fruit crops, aromaticplants, spices, etc. From this year, district's farmers would alsoget subsidy of Rs 50,000 to nurture banana farms. Those who are planning toinstall multi-storage chambers to store produce will get subsidy of Rs 2,400 permetric tonne of cold storage capacity.