NEW SCHEME ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HORTICULTURE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTION

TECHNOLOGY MISSION FOR HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

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A new scheme on sustainable development of horticulture through technology intervention has been formulated for implementation during the 10^th Plan for effective application of technology, besides support and risk management. In view of the immense potential of development of horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir, a technology mission for development of horticulture in J&K has also been proposed. The Union Agriculture Secretary, Shri J.N.L. Srivastava during the inaugural address at the two-day National Horticulture Conference here revealed these today. He said that his Ministry is focusing on hi-tech horticulture and precision farming to derive the maximum output.

Shri Srivastava said that during the 10^th Plan a growth target of 8% has been envisaged and S.P. Gupta Committee has also emphasized on similar growth to create millions of jobs in the country. In order to achieve 8% GDP growth, agriculture has to grow at least at 4% and horticulture has to grow by more than 7% within agriculture. Shri Srivastava said that farmers should diversify crops like pulses, horticulture, poultry and livestock and Government is encouraging farmers to do so. Stating that budgetary support is essential for encouraging horticulture in the country Shri Srivastava said that Government has consistently made higher provisions for horticulture. He said that during the 7^th Plan the Government made plan provision of Rs. 20 crore for horticulture which increased to Rs. 1000 crore in the 8^th Plan and to Rs. 1,400 crore in the 9^th Plan and it is expected to be Rs. 4,500 crore during the 10^th Plan including the allocation for programme on horticulture under the Macro-Management Scheme.

Stating that planting material and post harvest management and marketing are the two most important areas where attention should be focused to improve horticulture, Shri Srivastava said that the Government is amending the Seeds Act to allow private people to produce quality planting material and the Centre has already enacted the "Plant Varieties and Protection of Farmers Act" to protect the interest of farmers. He said that cooperatives and private companies should play a greater role in the two important areas. Stating that there are a number of schemes which are being operated by different departments at the State and Central level, the Secretary called for a synergy among these programmes. He said that his Ministry is having discussions with the Planning Commission for introduction of precision farming during the current Plan.

The two-day Conference would review the implementation of various horticulture schemes and also take note of the developments taking place in this sector. About two hundred participants from Central Agricultural Research Institute, State Agricultural Universities, officials from Centre and State Governments, besides office bearers of Commodity Federation and Association are participating in this Conference which has been organized by the Horticulture Division of the Union Agriculture Ministry.