Horticulture

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND PLANTATION CROPS

The district has horticultural crop area of 102284 Hectares, in which Plantation crops (39%) occupies major area and followed by Fruits (28.5%), Vegetables (21%), Spices (6.5%), Flowers (2.5%) and Medicinal crops (2%).

Coconut is the major growing cropgrown in27526 ha, followed by Mango (15741 Ha), Coffee (11857 Ha), Banana (3804 Ha), Moringa (3630 Ha), Tamarind (3473 Ha) and Potato (3300 Ha) are the major Horticulture crops that are cultivated in the district. The blocks namely Natham, Sanarpatty and Kodaikanalare major fruits growing regions and Kodaikanal, Oddanchatram and Thoppampattiare major vegetable growing regions.

To increase the production, productivity and income of farmers, various schemes are being implemented through Department of Horticulture and Plantation crops. To impart hi-tech production techniques among farmers various schemes like poly house construction, shade net house, mulching, distribution of seedlings of high yielding varieties of fruit crops, vegetables and plantation crops are being done.

Schemes implemented through Department of Horticulture and Plantation crops

I.MISSION FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF HORTICULTURE-NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION (MIDH-NHM)

Area Expansion Programme

Cultivation of Hybrid vegetables (Brinjal, Tomato and Chillies)- Protray seedlings has been produced at State Horticulture Farms & Centre Of Excellence For Vegetables, Reddiyarchatramand distributed to farmers at free cost at the rate of Rs. 20000 per hectare

Crop incentive programme-The farmers can avail an incentive of Rs 2,500 per hectare to cultivate vegetables during off-season.

• Augumentation of Moringa–Rs.10000 per hectare
• Mango cultivation under High Density Planting- Rs. 9840 per hectare
• Guava cultivation under High Density Planting- Rs. 17600 per hectare
• Tissue culture Banana cultivation –Rs. 37500 per hectare
• Papaya cultivation – Rs.23000 per hectare
• Flower crops cultivation: For cultivating Jasmine – Rs. 16000 per hectare and for Tuberose Rs. 60000 per hectare been given to farmers as back ended subsidy
• Spice chilliesand Rhizomatic Spices – Garliccultivation- Rs. 12000 per hectare been given to farmers as back ended subsidy
• Perennial spices cultivation- Rs. 20000 per hectare as subsidy
• Acid lime cultivation Rs.13200 per hectare as subsidy
• Avocado planting- Rs. 14400 per hectare as subsidy

Protected Cultivation

• • Construction of Poly house: 50% subsidy has been provided for constructing Poly houses at the rate of Rs. 468 per square meter, allowing maximum 4000 sqm per beneficiary. Shadenet house: As like poly house construction, 50% assistance has been given to the maximum of 4000 sqm per beneficiary at rate of Rs. 355 per square meter. Mulching: 50% assistance will be given-Rs. 16000 as back ended subsidy

• Creation of water resources: To encourage water harvesting system for individuals, to create farm ponds, tube well and open wells an assistance of Rs. 75000/- has been provided.

Integrated Nutrient Management

• To encourage use of micro nutrients, at the rate of Rs. 1200 per hectare the micro nutrients has been distributed among the farmers.

Organic farming

• Adoption of organic farming – for cultivating organic vegetables Rs.4000 per farmer.

Pollination Support Through Bee-Keeping

• In order to maximize production, honey-bee colonies have been given to farmers at 40% subsidy at the rate of Rs. 1600 per colony and for honey extractor Rs. 8000 is given.

Horticulture Mechanization

• For purchase of 20HP mini tractor Rs. 75000 and for 8HP power tiller Rs. 60000 has been given as subsidy at 25 % and 40% subsidy respectively.

Integrated post harvest Management

• To construct pack houses for the purpose of grading, cleaning and packing of Horticultural produces at the rate of 50% subsidy -Rs. 2.00 lakh per no.has been provided.

II.NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NADP)

• • Onion Development Scheme – Rs. 20000 per hectare will be provided as subsidy
  • Establishment of Permanent Pandal system at Rs.2 lakh/Ha

• Providing support system through staking/Trellies/Propping – Rs.25000/Ha as subsidy.
• Assistance to Organic cultivation in Vegetables – Green – Rs.2500 subsidy, Tomato , Brinjal and Bhendi , gourds and Lab lab – Rs.3750 subsidy.
• Assistance for Organic farming certification –Rs.500/farmer.

III.PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJANA (PMKSY)

Under this scheme, to emphasis efficient use of irrigation water, farmers are being encouraged to set up micro irrigation facility through financial assistance of 100 % subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 75 % subsidy to big farmers. A beneficiary can get financial assistance up to 5 ha. Farmers who are all already benefited can also get subsidy for renew the laterals after seven years.

Supplementary Water Management Activities (SWMA)

In this, subsidy is extended for creation of ground level water storage structures (Rs.40000), digging of borewells (Rs.25000), laying of conveyance pipes (Rs.10000) and for Electric motors/Diesel pumpsets (Rs.15000).

IV.NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (NMSA) RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT (RAD)- INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

1. Horticulture Based Farming System: 100 IFS units is being implemented for Rs.60 lakhs. Each unit includes 1 Ha cultivation of Horticulture plants, Apiary units, vermicompost unit, Milch cows, goats, poultry birds.
2. Non-IFS components include Shadenet, Pack house, Vermicompost units, training and demonstration to farmers.

V.INTEGRATED HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME(IHDS)

This scheme is being implemented with an objective to increase the area under Horticulture Crops. This is a 100% State sponsored scheme.

Area Expansion

• Cultivating Dryland crops(Jamun, Amla and Tamarind)-Rs.20000/Ha subsidy
• Cultivating Traditional fruit & Vegetable cultivars Rs.15,000/Ha subsidy
• Promotion of Homestead Vegetable Gardens- Providing seed kits and vegetable garden kits to urban families.
• Promotion of Homestead Vegetable Gardens- Providing seed kits and vegetable garden kits to urban families.
• Special Systems and practices in Horticulture Crops- Permanent Pandal –Rs.2 Lakh per hectare as subsidy, Weed mat – Rs.21/ sq.m. as subsidy
• Distribution of Horticulture Tools and Equipment – Provision of Aluminium ladders for harvesting, Nets for safe harvesting of fruits, Headlights for flower picking and secatures at subsidized costs.

VI.TNIAMP (IAMWARM II) Project (Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project – Horticulture)

TNIAMP is a multi Disciplinary Project funded by World Bank and implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The main objective of the programme is to accelerate crop diversification from crops requiring more water to high remunerative and less water requiring horticultural crops, through promotion of hi-tech cultivation technologies and water conservation technologies in the proposed sub basins. The innovative interventions implemented were Horticultural crop demonstration, Promotion of pesticide free vegetables production, Promotion of Micro irrigation, Climate resilience technology of protected cultivation and Mulching.

VII.COLLECTIVE FARMING

The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced in the Budget speech 2017-18 to implement an innovative programme for organizing small and marginal farmers into Farmer Producer Groups which will be federated into Farmer Producer Organizations to promote collective farming for credit mobilization, better adoption of technology and facilitate effective forward and backward linkages.

VIII.PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)

In Dindigul district, haorticulture crops such as Banana, Small Onion, Brinjal, Tomato, Potato and Bhendi are notified to be covered under this insurance scheme. Farmers insure the crops in notified villages could get insurance amount for crop damages due to natural calamities and tremendous yield loss due to pest and diseases.

IX.State Horticulture Farms (SHFs), Parks &Gadens State Horticulture Farm, Sirumalai:

State Horticulture Farm, Sirumalai was established in the year 1980 in an area of 200.04 Ha. Quality planting materials of Pepper, Silver oak, Acid lime, Coffee, Avocado, Jasmine, Papaya and Moringa are produced here. Production of Bio-fertilizer such as Vermicompost is also done. TFL Seed production of Lab lab and Bush beans is also done in the farm. A mother block for production of jackfruit plants exists in the farm. Recently, Steam distillation unit for extraction of Lemon grass oil has been taken up in the farm.

State Horticulture Farm, Sandhaiyur:

State Horticulture Farm, Sandhaiyurwas established in the year 2013 in an area of 15.19.5 Ha. Quality planting materials of Tomato, Coconut, Jasmine, Papaya, Guava and Moringa are produced here. Production of Bio-inputs such as Vermicompost, Panchakavya, Tricoderma and Pseudomonas is also done. TFL Seed production of Tomato, Cowpea, Bhendi, Brinjal, Moringa, Amaranthus, Bottle gourd, Snake gourd, Lab lab and Cluster beans is also done in the farm. Recently, Ben oil extraction unit for extraction of oil from Moringa has been taken up in the farm. A facility for Organic Framing Demonstration unit has been set up in the farm.

State Horticulture Farm, Neelamalaikottai:

State Horticulture Farm, Neelamalaikottai was established in 2019 in an area of 1 acre. A scion bank for production of propagation materials of Jamun, manila Tamarind and Amla has been started. A bee park has also been set up in the farm for pollination support and honey production.

State Horticulture Farm, Kodaikanal:

State Horticulture Farm, Kodaikanal was started in the year 1962 in an area of 1.73 Ha. Quality planting materials of Cabbage, Avocado, Plums, Pear, Paechare produced here. Recently, Steam distillation unit for extraction of Eucalyptus oil has been set up in the farm.

State Horticulture Farm, Thandikudi:

State Horticulture Farm, Thandikudi was started in the year 1985 in an area of 5.45 Ha. Quality planting materials of Pepper, Silver oak, Acid lime, Coffee, Avocado and Mandarin orange are produced here. Production of Bio-input such as Panchakavya is also done. TFL Seed production of Lab lab and Bush beans is also done in the farm.

Bryant Park, Kodaikanal:

Bryant Park, Kodaikanal was established in the year 1900 in an area of 20.5 acres. The park has 325 species of Trees, Shrubs and Cacti. The park has a collection of flowering annuals, 740 varieties of rose plants, ornamentals and lawns. A children’s park is also available in the premises. Flower shows are being conducted every year during the month of May as a part of the Kodai Summer festival. Flower show gallery, a pond with Musical fountain, a glass house for flowering plants, cacti and succulents, rockery, Topiary are other salient features of the park which attracts large number of tourists every year.

Chettiar Park, Kodaikanal:

Chettiar Park, Kodaikanal was started in the year 1924. It has Cypress tress, Flower beds, Topiary structures, a lawn and children’s play area.

Rose garden, Kodaikanal:

Rose garden, Kodaikanal was established in the year 2012 in an area of 10 acres. 4 varieties of Roses such as Hybrid roses, Floribundas, Miniature roses and Climbing roses are grown. There are 15000 rose plants in 1500 varieties. The garden also houses an Amphitheatre, Children’s park, lawn and fountain. Battery operated vehicle is also available for the visitors.

TANHODA OUTLET

• Outlets for sales of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, etc and byproducts like Jam, Jelly, Squash, Pickle are functions as a unit of Horticulture Department, Dindigul. TANHODA outlets ensure that quality produce, products and other materials like farm tools and implements, inputs for potager garden kits, vegetable seeds, Spice boxes, Dry fruit boxes, FPO products, etc are being sold at a nominal price to the public. TANHODA outlet also facilitates the farmers / FPOs to have choice for selling their products at nominal cost without any intermediaries so that they will get more income.
• Distribution of seed balls: Trees are mainly propagated through seeds and seed balls are essential to create greener environment by convenient dispersal mechanism for people. The seeds wrapped in seed ball will keep the seed safely until a conducive environment arise for proper germination.
• Farm Tourism: To impart knowledge on latest Horticultural technologies to students and farmers, Farm tourism was initiated in all State Horticulture Farms, Parks and Gardens throughout the state. This will help the students and people in urban areas to practically experience farming. This concept has many interesting parts in which the visitors can directly involve in farm activities. They are provided with natural refreshment and gifted with a plant as memento in remembrance of the farm visit.
• Plants as Return Gifts for Public and Private Functions: In Tamil Nadu, during functions like Birthday Celebration, Wedding Anniversary, Marriage, Engagement, House warming ceremony, opening ceremony of new shops, etc., return gift are given to the guests. For promoting Environment, people like to present tree saplings as return gift, as the trees and plants live longer and significantly benefit the environment. This programme brings happiness to both the giver and the taker of the plants and promotes growing of trees and plants.

X. Centre of Excellence (CoE)

Centre of Excellence for vegetables, an Indo-Israel project was established in the year 2013 at State Horticulture Farm, Reddiyarchatram in an area of 5.33 Ha. The institute has world class infrastructure facilities such as Poly greenhouses, insect proof net houses, Mulching technology, weedmat technology, portray nursery for Hi-tech cultivation of vegetables. Quality seedlings of Tomato, Brinjal, Chillies, Cauliflower is produced using protray nursery. It acts as a model farm for cultivation of vegetables in protected conditions and open fields. Cultivation of grafted Brinjal is an important feature in the farm. Production of vermicompost is also undertaken in the farm. It also acts as a farmers training centre for imparting latest technologies in vegetable cultivation to farmers. It also serves an institute for 2 years Diploma course in Horticulture.

ELIGIBILITY OF FARMERSFOR AVAILING SCHEME BENEFITS

• All the farmers who have own agriculture lands are eligible. If on lease, the lease period should be a minimum of 10 years for project based components.
• Assured irrigation facilities are necessary where water usage is mandatory for the components like protected cultivation, area expansion etc.
• The beneficiary farmers should enclose all mandatory documents along with the application.
• The documents should be valid for the current period.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE BENEFICIARY TO AVAIL SUBSIDY FOR VARIOUS COMPONENTS UNDER MIDH

1. Application Form
2. Beneficiary must be registered in HORTNET
3. Chitta and adangal (original)
4. FMB sketch
5. Aadhaar
6. In case of Lessee farmers, registered lease agreement should be furnished.
7. Soil and water test reports for cultivation related components
8. Passport size photos (3 Nos.)
9. Ration card (Xerox)
10. Bank passbook (1^stpage Xerox) for verifying the Account Number
11. Affidavit for components wherein the assistance is above Rs.50,000/-
12. Field photos during various stages of implementation with beneficiary (for Area expansion and project based activities)
13. Field Board with NHM logo after completion (for project based)