Nayagarh: The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is being implemented for farmers to take up fruits and other income-generating farming in the country, but the benefits of the scheme are still out of reach of many farmers in Nayagarh.
Funds have been provided by the horticulture department under this mission to the district, but funds have remained unutilized, a report said.
According to the report, the district was provided Rs 3.53 lakh for banana farming in 2021-22. The target was to take this up across 11.50 hectares. Till date, its work has not been started.
Similarly, Rs 69 lakh was provided to the district for papaya farming in 7.50 hectares. This fund has not been allocated to beneficiaries.
The district has received Rs 1.15 lakh for guava farming, Rs 2.64 lakh for pineapple farming, Rs 54,000 for jackfruit farming, Rs 27,000 for blackberry farming, Rs 90 lakh for hybrid vegetable farming, Rs 20.01 lakh for mushroom farming and Rs 69,000 for marigold farming (for small and marginal farmers).
All these funds have been left idle in the district. However, mango and guava farming has been promoted in some cases. It is claimed that mango farming has been done in 189.1 hectares.
Moreover, funds to the tune of lakhs of rupees provided for honey bee keeping, vermin compost preparation, natural feriliser, farm ponds, spices farming and sapling nursery have not been allocated to beneficiaries.
Simanchal Swain, a farmer of Gania area said, “The government is attaching much importance on horticulture to enhance income of farmers. We heard lakhs of rupees are being provided for horticulture, but farmers are unaware of this. The department is not creating awareness about the schemes.” He also alleged that horticulture activities are shown in papers.
There is a need for review and audit on the implementation of the scheme in the district. Uddhab Sahu, a farmer of Ranpur, said the government is providing funds to promote fruit and vegetable farming, but farmers do not have any idea about it.
“Farmers are not being sensitized. A few farmers are handed out funds and in some cases funds are embezzled through false bills. Farmers are getting no benefits,” he added.
Zilla Parsihad member Nasir Ahmmed said the horticulture department is not doing its work properly. Irregularities are being committed in some projects. Investigations can unearth the facts, he added.
When contacted, deputy director of horticulture department, Muralidhar Behera said the department is doing its work properly for welfare of farming and farmers.
“If farmers come out with allegations of irregularities, they will be investigated. We are taking several steps to utilize the funds provided by the government,” he added.
PNN
