Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: The state government has set a target to expand horticulture to 20 lakh hectare from existing 13.73 lakh hectare in the next 10 years.
A decision in this regard was taken at a review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on progress of horticulture mission in the state. Patnaik asked the officials to achieve the target under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM).
All the 30 districts in the state were included under NHM since 2012-13 and as many as 134 nurseries were built in the state by 2013-14.
Of the 13.73 lakh hectare horticulture land, fruits are being cultivated in 3.25 lakh hectare. Similarly, vegetable and spices are grown in 6.77 lakh and 1.55 lakh hectare of land respectively. Flowers are being cultivated in 7,434 hectare while coconut and cashew are grown in 50,778 and 1.47 lakh hectares respectively.
During the meeting, Patnaik has asked the officials to develop an online mechanism to ensure timely availability of subsidy to farmers.
Moreover, the chief minister has asked the officials to ensure farmers reap benefit through the NHM. Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy, Chief Secretary GC Pati, development commissioner UN Behera and agriculture secretary Rajesh Verma along with other dignitaries attended the meeting.
