Farming Horticulture

Horticulture crops area in Gujarat increased by three times in last 20 years

Horticulture crops area in Gujarat increased by three times in last 20 years

Horticulture crops area in Gujarat increased by three times in the last 20 years.

In the last 20 years, the area of horticulture crops in Gujarat has increased by almost three times. This has put the state on the national map of fruit crops, according to the state government.

From 6.92 lakh hectares about 20 years ago, the area where horticultural crops are grown has grown to 19.77 lakh hectares. During this time, horticultural production went from 62.01 lakh tonnes (lt) to 250.52 lt.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that over 35 lakh gardeners have gotten help from horticulture programmes over the past 20 years.

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The Kesar mango variety has been given a G.I. tag, making it a unique product of the state. The state is also the biggest producer of okra (bhindi) and sapota (chikoo) in the country. ‘This is a source of pride for the horticultural farmers of Gujarat,’ Patel said after laying the foundation stones for three new Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, and Kheda, as well as primary processing centres in Banaskantha, Kutch, Jamnagar, Navsari, and Panchmahal districts.

The government of the State has put in place a full horticulture development programme so that fruit trees can be grown for profit. It also gives farmers the help they need to make up for their high initial investments. Members of registered trusts, FPOs, FPCs, and cooperative societies that own land that can be farmed also benefit from the programme.

Fruit crops like kamalam (dragon fruit) are now more likely to be grown because farmers can get up to Rs 4.50 lakh per hectare in help. Also, a Mission Madhmakhi Karyakram for beekeeping gives up to 75% help with beekeeping, processing, packaging, cold rooms, and bee clinics.

The CoEs will help farmers make horticulture profitable and make sure they have access to the right infrastructure. The state government has also given apiculture Rs 10 crore (beekeeping).

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‘In the last five years, the state government has given Rs 10 crore to 7.26 lakh people who have benefited from different government horticulture schemes,’ Patel said.

The State has also used drone technology to cover 1.40 million acres of land, which cost Rs 35 crore. This technology is used to save money on labour costs by sprinkling fertiliser on fields.

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