'Area under horticulture crops to be expanded'

In a bid to support horticulture crops, the horticulture department plans to expand horticulture crops like coconut, arecanut, banana, cocoa, cashew and pepper in 3,503 hectare under National Horticulture Mission during 2013-14 in Dakshina Kannada district.

About Rs 247.18 lakh will be utilised for the expansion in the district. The department plans to expand banana plantation in 60 hectare land, pineapple will be expanded in 10 hectare land (Rs 2.44 lakh), flower cultivation in 20 hectare (Rs 1.58 lakh), pepper in 25 hectare (Rs 5 lakh), nutmeg in 10 hectare (Rs 2 lakh), cashew in 45 hectare (Rs 5.40 lakh), cocoa in 60 hectare (Rs 7.20 lakh).

Under integrated horticulture development programme, black pepper will be promoted in 110 hectare land at a cost of Rs 68 lakh, cocoa will be expanded in 100 hectare (Rs 37 lakh), banana in 25 hectare (Rs 29 lakh).

Under horticulture mission rejuvenation programme, cashew will be rejuvenated in 25 hectare and pepper in 30 hectare in the district.

 About Rs 40 lakh will be utilised for the revival of arecanut plantations affected with diseases in 533 hectare land under horticulture department’s state scheme, said a press release from deputy director, horticulture department.