Lok Sabha Question No. 2717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Cultivation of Fruits and Vegetables
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2717 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## CULTIVATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

2717.  SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  made  any  plan  to  impart  knowledge  of  agriculture technology to the farmers/entrepreneurs/stakeholders to  grow fruits and vegetables in  a profitable manner;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has made any plan for horticulture around cities;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  made  any  plan  for  nursery/high  tech  horticulture  in metropolitan cities; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b) Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. 'Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms' popularly known as ATMA scheme to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic  areas  of  agriculture  and  allied  areas  to  farmers  through  different  extension activities viz. Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.

Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), implemented for the holistic development  of  horticulture in the country, assistance  is provided  for awareness  programmes,  farmers  training,  exposure  visit,  etc.  There  is  a  provision  for training on latest technologies on production and post-harvest management to women and youth.

National Horticulture Board (NHB), a Central Sector Scheme of MIDH also provides financial assistance to organize workshop and training programme for horticulture growers including fruits and vegetables.

Apart from the above, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is also taking various steps to promote agriculture/horticulture in the country and to impart knowledge of agriculture  technology  to  the farmers/entrepreneurs/stakeholders  to  grow  fruits  and vegetables in a profitable manner. Some of the steps are as under:

-  O rganizing  Scientist  -  Farmer  interface  meetings,  farmer's  mela,  exhibitions, advisory services etc
-  Distributing  extension  pamphlets  in  English,  Hindi  and  other  local  languages, extension bulletins, Farmers advisory services, planting material availability, guide on nutritional disorders etc.
-  The farmers are exposed to latest technologies through various training programmes, exhibitions, melas and exposure visits of farmers.
-  Distribution of planting material of the latest varieties by ICAR Institutes/Directorates/NRCs to the farmers.

(c) & (d) MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Government through States and States implement the scheme as per their requirements and priorities including horticulture activities around the cities.

(e)  &  (f)  MIDH  scheme  is  being  implemented  in  all  States/UTs  across  the  country  and different  States/UTs  make  their  action  plan  to  avail  benefit  under  different  components depending  upon  their  requirement/  demand/priorities  including  for  areas  in  and  around important cities in the State. Nursery/high tech horticulture is promoted under the scheme through following interventions:

-  Plantation Infrastructure Development: Setting up of nurseries, tissue culture units for production of quality seed and planting material.
-  Protected cultivation: Creation of structures like poly-house, green-house, shade net house, walk in tunnels (including micro irrigation facilities) etc.
-  Promotion  of  INM/IPM: Creation  of  INM/IPM  structures  like  bio-control  lab,  plant health clinic, disease forecasting units etc.
-  Horticulture Mechanization: Promotion of horticulture mechanization through supply of Power tillers, Tractors, Plant protection equipments etc.
-  Post  Harvest  Management  (PHM)  infrastructure :  Creation  of  Cold  storage/C.A. storage, Ripening chamber, Reefer vehicles etc.