According to a press release, a sum of Rs 46.17 lakh will be provided for the development of saplings during the year. A sum of Rs 26 lakh will be utilised for undertaking various developmental works in Kadri Park during 2009-10. A sum of Rs 44.40 lakh has already been utilised for the development of Kadri park.
The department has developed 22,700 seedlings of coconut during 2008-09 in its nurseries. Financial assistance has been provided to 3,387 beneficiaries for the expansion of horticulture crops. Under mechanisation programme, 163 beneficiaries have been given financial assistance of Rs 3.5 lakh in 2008-09. To introduce new vegetables in the district, vegetable seeds have been distributed.
Action plan
An action plan of Rs 420.4 lakh under National Horticulture Mission, Rs 125 lakh for National Medicinal Plant Mission, Rs 21.5 lakh for Sookshma neeravari yojane, Rs 39.925 for Rashtriya Krishi Vijasa Yojane and Rs 15.25 lakh for Coconut Development Board project has been prepared for the district.
Under National Horticulture Mission, financial assistance has been provided for expansion of banana, pineapple, cashew, cocoa, pepper, spices, flowers cultivation. Good quality of cashew, cocoa grafts, sandalwood, pepper and jasmine saplings will be distributed during 2009-10.
The release stated that measures have been taken to convert organic farming in 100 hectares land. Financial assistance of Rs 21.2 lakh has been distributed to 166 farmers for vermi-compost unit and biodigesters. To undertake apiculture, financial assistance of Rs 8.5 lakh has been given to 78 beneficiaries for the purchase of 1,058 beehives.