World Food day was celebrated on October 16 to create awareness about the importance of food grain production. Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi said that our farmers through their hardwork, feed  the  nation with nutrient rich food grains. Farmers,  Scientists and Anganwadi workers are the basis of movement to remove malnutrition . He said that crops with high nutrients   like protein iron zinc are being promoted as part of nutri garden promotion campaign in every household.. He pointed out while the world is struggling due to Covid 19, Indian farmers have broken last year’s record of food grain production even during pandemic times.

Mission for Integrated development of Horticulture is a central scheme for growth of the horticulture sector including fruits vegetables, tuber crops,  mushrooms, spices, flowers,  coconut, cashew,cocoa and bamboo. Under the scheme central government gives 60 per cent of total outlay for developmental programmes involving  horticulture.  Through  National horticulture Board and agencies like  Coconut development board, Union government contributes 100 per cent of the outlay.

For Tamil Nadu Rs 172.76 crore has been allocated to implement National Horticuture  Mission for this fiscal.   Farmers in Tamil Nadu are being given full support by government for  implementing various agriculture schemes including micro irrigation. In Ariyalur district, Arungal village Shri Selvam, farmer is utilising Micro irrigation with Rs 95498 government subsidy for horticulture flower plants in one acre. He also cultivates chillies in 50 cents of agriculture land. Shri Poomalai is utilising micro irrigation with Rs 1.12 lakh subsidy from government for tomato and maize crops. Ariyalur collector Smt D Rathna interacted with farmers in KallakudiKatturvillage  where agriculture net shade at 50 per cent subsidy at the cost of Rs 3.50 lakh was  made for tomato crops.

In Ariyalur, for this year Micro irrigation scheme is being targeted to be implemented for Rs 54 crore in 7200 hectare land. Till now the scheme has been implemented in 2000 hectare land at a cost of Rs 9 crore. Under National horticulture mission,  Rs 22.2 lakh has been allocated to give incentives to farmers for Rs 2500 per hectare horticulture crops. Under this scheme brinjal, drumstick, ladies finger, chillies, bitter gourd, snake gourd, pumpkin crops are being cultivated in this scheme in Ariyalur.

Protected cultivation of vegetables is encouraged under National Horticulture Mission with clusters developed near cities. These clusters will be provided with infrastructural facilities like cold storage, reefer vans,  vending carts and marketing arrangements. Covid 19 pandemic lockdown has reiterated the importance of agriculture to attain the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat by achieving self-sufficiency in food grain and vegetable production. Government is implementing various schemes for the benefit of farmers who indeed toil hard to ensure food security of the nation.

 

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