The district administration is giving a thrust to horticulture in Ariyalur district under the National Horticulture Mission.
Cashew, tuberose, and oilseeds are the crops covered under the programme and farmers get a subsidy of Rs. 16,000 per hectare for putting up polythene mulching. Polythene mulching controls weeds besides ensuring that soil remains soft and water evaporation is reduced. This cuts labour cost for farmers.
For cashew cultivation under National Horticulture Mission, 50 per cent subsidy of Rs. 12,000 worth 200 VRI 3 hybrids are given. For mango planting, Rs. 24,000 worth inputs are given as first year subsidy and Rs. 4,000 worth inputs are given as second year subsidy.
A. Saravanavelraj, District Collector, inspected some of the fields at Kuvagam village and at Thirukalapur village. He appealed to farmers to go for more horticulture crops.
