THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN
PLAN OUTLAY FOR HORTICULTURE LIKELY
The Union Agriculture Secretary, Shri J.N.L. Srivastva
today said that the Tenth Plan outlay for horticulture is likely
to be trebled. After inaugurating a consultative meeting organised
jointly by his Ministry and the National Horticultural Research
and Development Foundation here today Shri Srivastava said that
the allocation for horticulture has substantially increased from
Rs. 750 crore during the VIIIth Plan to Rs. 1400 crore in IXth
Plan and is likely to be Rs. 4500 crore during the Xth Plan. Shri
Srivastva said that there is an urgent need to diversify from
the traditional food grain to other crops like fruits and vegetables.
He said that diversification has become all the more important
as the massive production and storage of food grains have become
a problem. Besides, he said, it has been found out that per capita
consumption of fruits and vegetables is increasing which calls
for more emphasis on horticulture.
Speaking on reforms in the agriculture sector,
Shri Srivastava said that his Government is going to create conductive
environment for participation of the private sector in the seeds
sector, adding that competition in producing quality seeds at
lower price has been one of the main objectives of the National
Seeds Policy. He said that Government has discussed all aspects
of the proposed Seeds Act with the industry. The Seeds Policy
aims at promoting a system of self-certification and freedom to
the producer, it also talks of tough measures to ensure quality
of seeds, Shri Srivastava said.
The Secretary said that in order to encourage
horticulture crops his Ministry has started a back-handed credit
–linked subsidy scheme. Under this scheme 25% subsidy is being
given to farmers to produce horticultural crops like coconut in
the country. Shri Srivastava said that demand projection of horticulture
produce during the Xth Plan is estimated to be 265 million tons
as against the current production of 150 million tons. In view
of this growing demand, quality seeds and planting material would
play a vital role, he added. "The Government has enacted
a bill on Plant Variety Protection which protect both the
farmer as well as the breeder’s right. This Act will encourage
the Private sector to invest in development of cultivars",
he said.
