Horticulture & Plantation Crops

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND PLANTATION CROPS

The district has horticultural crop area of 65804 Hectares, in which Plantation Crops (84%) occupies major area and followed by Fruits (10%), Spices (3%), Vegetables (1%), Flowers (0.2%).

Rubber is the major growing region consists of 28060 Ha,  followed by Coconut (24573 Ha),  Banana (4218 Ha), Mango (1250 Ha), Tapioca (815 Ha),  Cashew (966 Ha),  Tamarind (867 Ha), Palmyrah (882 Ha), Clove (780 Ha), Jack (606 Ha), Pepper (292 Ha), Tea (213 Ha), Pineapple (105 Ha) are the major Horticulture crops that are cultivated in the district. The blocks namely Thiruvattar and Melpuram were major Plantation Crops growing region and Thuckalay, Thovalai and Kurunthancode were major Fruits growing region.

To increase the production, productivity and income of farmers, various schemes are being implemented through Department of Horticulture and Plantation crops.

Schemes implemented through Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops

  I. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture – National Horticulture Mission (MIDH-NHM)

Area Expansion Programme

• Cultivation of Hybrid vegetables (Brinjal, Bhendiand Chillies)- Protray seedlings Rs. 20,000/ha as subsidy.
• Crop incentive programme-The farmers can avail an incentive of Rs. 2,500 per hectare to cultivate vegetables during off-season.
• Augmentation of Moringa Seedlings with Rs. 10,000/ha as subsidy
• Perennial spices cultivation Rs. 20,000/ha as subsidy
• Cocoa planting- Rs. 12,000/ha as subsidy
• Cashew planting Rs. 12,000/ha as subsidy

Creation of water resources:

• To encourage water harvesting system for individuals, for storage of water in 20m x 20m x 3m farm ponds/ tube well/ dug wells an assistance @ Rs.125/cum, 50% subsidy of Rs. 75,000/- has been provided.

Integrated Nutrient Management

• To promote INM/IPM (Rs.1,200/ha) as subsidy

Organic farming

• Adoption of organic farming – for cultivating organic vegetables Rs.4,000/ha 

Pollination Support Through Bee-Keeping

• In order to maximize production, honey-bee colonies and Bee Hives have been given to farmers at 40% subsidy at the rate of Rs.1,600 per set and for Bee Keeping Equipments Rs.8,000 is given at 40% subsidy.

Horticulture Mechanization

• Above 8 HP Power tiller Rs.60,000 has been given subsidy at 40%

Integrated Post Harvest Management

• To construct pack houses for the purpose of grading, cleaning and packing of Horticultural produces at the rate of 50% subsidy Rs. 2.00 lakh with size of 9m x 6m has been provided.

II.NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NADP)

• Assistance to Organic cultivation in Vegetables like Greens (Rs.2,500/ha), Tomato , Brinjal and Bhendi(Rs.3,750/ha).
• Assistance for supporting structure propping in banana (Rs.25,000/ha) 50% subsidy
• Under NADP Sub scheme – Cashew Area expansion Rs.12000/Ha as subsidy.

III.PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJANA (PMKSY)

Under this scheme, to emphasis efficient use of irrigation water, farmers are being encouraged to set up micro irrigation facility through financial assistance of 100 % subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 75 % subsidy to big farmers. A beneficiary can get financial assistance up to 5 ha. Farmers who are all already benefited can also get subsidy for renewal of laterals after seven years.

Supplementary Water Management Activities (SWMA)

In this, subsidy is extended for creation of ground level water storage structures (Rs.40,000/No), digging of borewells (Rs.25,000/No), laying of conveyance pipes (Rs.10000/ha) and for Electric motors/Diesel pumpsets (Rs.15,000/No).

IV.NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (NMSA)

RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT (RAD)

1. Horticulture Based Farming System: Consist of main crop and inter crop cultivation, (Rs.9,200/ha) as subsidy
2. Vermicompost unit: To set up permanent vermicompost structure, Rs. 12,500/Unit as subsidy
3. Apiary Unit: Apiary Unit Rs. 12,800/ 8 unit as subsidy
4. Milch Animal: Milch Animal (Rs.15,000/cow/buffalo) as subsidy
5. Goat: Goats (Rs.1,500/Goat, (4+1) Nos)
6. Birds: Desi poultry birds (Layer) (Rs.300/bird, 10 Nos).

V.INTEGRATED HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (IHDS)

This scheme is being implemented with an objective to increase the area under Horticulture Crops.

Area expansion

• Cultivating Dryland crops (Jamun, Amla and Tamarind)- (Rs.20000/ha) as 50% subsidy
• Cultivating Traditional fruit & Vegetable cultivars  (Rs.15,000/Ha) as 50% subsidy
• Cultivation of Minor fruits & vegetables (Rs.30,000/ha) as 50% subsidy

Promotion of Homestead Vegetable gardens

• Vegetable seed kit distribution (Rs.10/kit) as subsidy
• Vegetable garden kit (Rs.340/Kit) as subsidy.
• Drip System for Home gardens without sensor (Rs.320/system) as subsidy

Distribution of Horticulture tools and equipment

• Plastic Crates (10 Nos) Rs.3750 as subsidy
• Aluminium Ladders for Harvesting (Rs.10000/No) as subsidy
• Nets for safe Harvesting of Fruits (Rs.250/No) as subsidy
• Headlights for flower picking (Rs.250/No) as subsidy
• Secateurs(Rs.200/No) as subsidy

VI.COLLECTIVE FARMING

The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced in the Budget speech 2017-18 to implement an innovative programme for organizing small and marginal farmers into Farmer Producer Groups which will be federated into Farmer Producer Organizations to promote collective farming for credit mobilization, better adoption of technology and facilitate effective forward and backward linkages.

VII.PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)

In Kanniyakumari district, Banana, and Tapioca crops are notified to be covered under this insurance scheme. Farmers insured the crops in notified villages could get insurance amount for crop damages due to natural calamities and tremendous yield loss due to pest and diseases.

 VIII.State Horticulture Farms (SHFs)

State Horticulture Farm, Kanniyakumari

State Horticulture Farm, Kanniyakumari is established in the year 1922 with an area of 31.64 acres.

• Bio-control Agents Production Units for Tricoderma viride
• Chocolate Production unit is established with financial allocation of Rs.3.5 lakhs in State Horticulture Farm, Kanniyakumari.
• For green energy production solar panel has been installed with financial allocation of Rs.4.95 lakhs in State Horticulture Farm, Kanniyakumari SHF during 2020 – 2021.

 TANHODA OUTLET

• In State Horticulture Farms, various like fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, etc and byproducts like Jam, Jelly, Squash, Pickle are produced and sold in the farm gates. TANHODA outlets ensure that quality produce, products and other materials like farm tools and implements, inputs FPO products are being sold at a nominal price to the public. TANHODA outlet also facilitates the farmers / FPOs to have choice for selling their products at nominal cost without any intermediaries so that they will get more income.

Distribution of seed balls:

Trees are mainly propagated through seeds and seed balls are essential to create greener environment by convenient dispersal mechanism for people. The seeds wrapped in seed ball will keep the seed safely until a conducive environment arise for proper germination.

Farm Tourism:

• To impart knowledge on latest Horticultural technologies to students and farmers, Farm tourism was initiated in all State Horticulture Farms, Parks and Gardens throughout the state. This will help the students and people in urban areas to practically experience farming. This concept has many interesting parts in which the visitors can directly involve in farm activities. They are provided with natural refreshment and gifted with a plant as memento in remembrance of the farm visit.
• Coconut seedling production in State Horticulture Farms
• Plants as Return Gifts for Public and Private Functions: In Tamil Nadu, during functions like Birthday Celebration, Wedding Anniversary, Marriage, Engagement, House warming ceremony, opening ceremony of new shops, etc., return gift are given to the guests. For promoting Environment, people like to present tree saplings as return gift, as the trees and plants live longer and significantly benefit the environment. This programme brings happiness to both the giver and the taker of the plants and promotes growing of trees and plants.
• TFL Vegetable Seed Production in Brinjal, Bhendi and Amaranthus

ECO Park, Kanniyakumari

The ECO Park was established during 2018-19in 6Ha area at State Horticulture Farm, Kanniyakumari. ECO Park was inaugurated on 05.04.2018 and more than 2 lakhs visitors visited the park till date. This park is received well among the public and has become one of the most attractive tourists spot in Kanyakumari.

State Horticulture Farm, Pechiparai

State Horticulture Farm, Pechiparai is established in the year 1967 with an area of 15 acres.

• Centre of excellence for Bee Keeping is being established with financial allocation of Rs.1.5crore and work under progress in State Horticulture Farm, Pechiparai.
• Perennial spices like Pepper, Clove and Nutmeg are mainly propagated and planting materials distribution.

ELIGIBILITY OF FARMERS

• All the farmers who have own agriculture lands are eligible. If on lease, the lease period should be a minimum of 10 years for project based components.
• Assured irrigation facilities are necessary where water usage is mandatory for the components like protected cultivation, area expansion etc.
• The beneficiary farmers should enclose all mandatory documents along with the application.
• The documents should be valid for the current period.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE BENEFICIARY TO AVAIL SUBSIDY FOR VARIOUS COMPONENTS UNDER MIDH

1. Application Form
2. Beneficiary must be registered in HORTNET
3. Chitta and adangal (original)
4. FMB sketch
5. Aadhaar
6. In case of Lessee farmers, registered lease agreement should be furnished.
7. Soil and water test reports for cultivation related components
8. Passport size photos (3 Nos.)
9. Ration card (Xerox)
10. Bank passbook (1^stpage Xerox) for verifying the Account Number
11. Affidavit for components wherein the assistance is above Rs.50,000/-
12. Field photos during various stages of implementation with beneficiary (for Area expansion and project based activities)
13. Field Board with NHM logo after completion (for project based)

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                                                                                                                         Content Source : Deputy Director, Horticulture, Kanniyakumari