Lok Sabha Question No. 2624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Government Support for Fruit Cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2624

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   JULY, 2019

## GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR FRUIT CULTIVATION

2624.   SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Darjeeling  Hills  produce  the  best  oranges  in  India  and  Kalimpong  is  an internationally  renowned  centre  for horticulture with Terai and Dooars being a hub  of  organic vegetables  and  fruit production, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  farmers  and  fruit growers from the region have suffered due to  lack  of Government  support  for improved  production  technologies,  cold storage and marketing, if so, whether any steps have been taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Yes, Darjeeling Hills is one of the best growing zones for oranges in India and is famous for  Mandarin.    The  district  is  endowed  with  diverse  agro  climatic  conditions  suitable  for  the successful cultivation of a large number of horticulture crops including fruits and vegetables from Terai  to  Dooars  region.  The  details  of  area  and  production  of  kinnow/mandarin  orange  and vegetables in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts are given in Table 1 & 2.

Table 1- Area and Production of Kinnow/Mandarin Orange

| Sl. No.   | Name of the District   | Final Estimate (2017-18)   | Final Estimate (2017-18)   |
|-----------|------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Sl. No.   | Name of the District   | Area in '000ha             | Production in '000 MT      |
| 1         | Darjeeling             | 2.434                      | 23.980                     |
| 2         | Kalimpong              | 1.591                      | 15.565                     |

Table 2- Area and Production of Vegetables

| Sl. No.   | Name of the District   | Final Estimate (2017-18)   | Final Estimate (2017-18)   |
|-----------|------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Sl. No.   | Name of the District   | Area in '000ha             | Production in '000 MT      |
| 1         | Darjeeling             | 13.456                     | 162.079                    |
| 2         | Kalimpong              | 9.955                      | 114.726                    |

(b) & (c): There is no such information available. However, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is implemented for holistic growth  of  the  horticulture  sector  covering  fruits,  vegetables,  mushrooms,  spices,  flowers, aromatic  plants,  coconut,  cashew  and  cocoa  through  various  interventions.    Assistance  is available for production of planting material, area expansion, rejuvenation of senile orchard and setting  up  of  Post  Harvest  Management  (PHM)  infrastructure  including  establishment  of  cold storages etc.

The  component of Post Harvest Management is demand/ entrepreneur-driven from among entrepreneurs, private companies, cooperatives, farmers groups etc through commercial ventures for which assistance ranging from at the rate 35% to 55% of the eligible project cost in general areas and hilly and scheduled areas respectively, per beneficiary is available as credit linked back ended subsidy through respective State Horticulture Missions.

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