Significant strides in horticulture cultivation

23,457 hectares have come under horticulture in nine years in Mysore district

Minister for Horticulture Shamanur Shivashankarappa releasing a brochure on the schemes being implemented by the Horticulture Department in Mysore on Sunday.

Mysore district has achieved significant growth in expanding the area under horticulture under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM). About 23,457 hectares has come under horticulture in the last nine years.

Disclosing this to reporters here on Sunday, Minister for Horticulture and Agriculture Marketing Shamanur Shivashankarappa said the area under horticulture in 2005–06 was 33,238 hectares (ha) and expanded to 56,695 ha in 2012–13.

He said the total horticultural produce in 2005–06 was 2.40 lakh tonnes and increased to 8.22 lakh tonnes in 2012–13. “When compared to other districts, Mysore district has made good progress in expanding horticulture,” the Minister added.

Mr. Shivashankarappa said about 8,338 ha was brought under horticulture under NHM. The crops include fruits in 4,911 ha, spices in 1,571 ha and floriculture in 1,876 ha.

The Minister said 16 per cent of farm land in the district was covered by horticulture crops.

The major crops grown include coconut, mango, plantain, sapota, vegetables, flowers, areca, palm, ginger and turmeric.

Higher Allocation

Mr. Shivashankarappa said Rs. 1,123 crore had been allocated to horticulture for 2014–15. A sum of Rs. 44 crore had been released during the first quarter of this year (until June 30, 2014) and 25 per cent progress had been achieved.

The allocation to the department this year was more than the previous year. Last year, Rs. 802 crore had been allocated to the sector. Notably, 99 percent growth was achieved spending Rs. 662 crore out of Rs. 704.92 crore released during the year.

Replying to reporters’ queries, Mr. Shivashankarappa said horticulture was undergoing rapid expansion as returns from the crops were lucrative. There has been an increase in the cultivation of crops like pomegranate, grapes and chiku (sapota). Some crops assure returns up to Rs. 10 lakh a year, he said.

Another reason for farmers switching over to horticulture crops is the subsidy, the Minister added.

Mr. Shivashankarappa said 333 farmers had received compensation of Rs. 20.8 lakh for the damage caused their coconut trees from drought.

Earlier, the Minister visited the department office at Curzon Park here and reviewed the progress made by the department in the district. Deputy Director of Horticulture H.M. Nagaraj was present.