Government Orders of Interest to Citizens

Abstract

Horticulture- Setting up of Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Mission-Orders –Issued.

AGRICULTURE (H1(2)) DEPARTMENT

G. O.Ms.No.155.
Dt. 28-4-2003.

Read:

From the Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops  D.O. Lr.No.PLNI / 5646 / 02, dt.1.10.02.

***

ORDER:

Government of Tamil Nadu have recognised that Horticulture is emerging as the growth engine of  Agriculture in recent years.  A. mission mode approach for horticulture development would give an impetus to cultivation, processing for value addition and marketing of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the State.  This would involve integration of various aspects of horticulture from plantation to marketing with a special emphasis on dry land horticulture, conservation of water through drip irrigation and establishment of Agro economic and export processing zones for post harvest storage and marketing of horticultural produce.   It was announced by His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu in the Legislative Assembly on 09.03.2002 that a Mission for Horticulture Development  in Tamil Nadu will be set up to give an impetus to cultivation, processing for value addition  and marketing of Vegetables,  Fruits and Flowers in the State.

2. Based on the above announcement, the Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops has sent a  proposal for setting up of a Mission for Horticulture Development with the following Mini Mission and also for constitution of four committees.

3. The Government after careful consideration of  the proposals of Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops direct that a Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Mission be set up with the following objectives;

1. a. Improving production through balanced nutrition management.
2. b. Evolving suitable mechanism for regulating quality planting material and giving impetus to need-based research.
3. c. Providing adequate infrastructure for post-harvest management and marketing.
4. d. Encouraging active involvement of farmers associations in adoption of modern technological practices.

4.  The Government also direct that the following three mini Missions be set up  to achieve the above objectives.

1. I.  MINI MISSION – I

 TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND RESEARCH

1. II.  MINI MISSION-II

TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

The Mini Mission II includes Fruit Development Mission, Vegetable Development Mission, Cashew Development Mission, Floriculture Development Mission and Medicinal Plants Development  Mission.

1. III.  MINI MISSION – III

POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND MARKET LINKAGES;

5. The objectives, components and the implementing agency of the three mini missions are indicated in the annexure to this order.

6. The Government also direct that a governing body for  the mission for Horticulture Development  to monitor the effective implementation of the Mission  by suggesting appropriate  intervention be constituted  under the Chairmanship of  Honourable Minister for Agriculture with the following members:-

1. 7.   The Government also constitute Three Committees for the Three Mini Missions with the following composition for the advise and monitoring the implementation of the mini – missions.

MINI MISSION - I

MINI MISSION – II

MINI MISSION – III

8. The Committees constituted in paras 6 & 7 above shall be treated as First Class Committee for the purpose  of claiming Traveling  allowance/Daily allowance.

9. The expenditure for the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Mission’s activities will be taken up separately wit the assistance of  NABARD, APEDA, and National Horticulture Board.

10. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Department vide its U.O.No.   828/FS/P/03,  dated  27.02.2003.

(By order of the Governor)

T.S.SRIDHAR,
Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government .

To

The DH&PC, Chennai-5

The CAM&AB, Chennai-32

The C.A., Chennai-5

The CE(AE), Chennai-35

The Registrar, TNAU., Coimbatore.

The DSC., Coimbatore

The CMD., TIIDCO, Chennai-8.

The CMD, TIIC, Chennai-8

The CGM, NABARD, Chennai-34

The Chairman, APEDA, New Delhi-110 016.

The Secretary & Director General, ICAR, New Delhi.

The MD, NHB, GOI, Gurgaon – 122015

The Director, NHB, Chennai-2

The Secretary, Public Dept, Chennai-9.

The Secretary, Finance Dept, Chennai-9.

The Secretary, Industries Dept, Chennai-9.

The Secretary, PWD, Chennai-9

The Secretary, Rural Development Dept, Chennai-9.

The Secretary, Planning and Development Dept, Chennai-9

The Secretary, Energy Dept, Chennai-9

The Secretary, Small Industries Dept., Chennai-9

Copy to:

Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Chennai-9

Sr.P.A. to Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Chennai-9

P.S. to Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department, Chennai-9

All Sections in Agriculture (Except) OP & Est. Sections, Chennai-9

/Forwarded/By order/

SECTION OFFICER

ANNEXURE

1. 1. MINI MISSION – I

TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND RESEARCH

OBJECTIVES

• 1. To evolve improved production technology appropriate to different agro climatic condition.
• 1. To identity need based research programmes in consultation with Department of Horticulture and Growers’  Association.
• 1. To reorient the available Research, Extension and Education  Infrastructure for Development of ‘Evergreen Revolution’ of Horticulture.

COMPONENTS

• 1. Fixation of propagational standards for perennial horticultural crops.
• 1. Supply of Breeder seeds.
• 1. Popularisation of improved technologies through on-farm trials and imparting training to field  functionaries.
• 1. Advocation of appropriate cropping system based on soil type and agro climatic conditions.
• 1. Building up of database on biotic and abiotic factors relating to the  cropping system at block level.
• 1. Evolving training modules on improved technologies like, Fertigation, Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Organic Farming, Post Harvest Management, both  for extension workers and farmers.
• 1. Building up linkages with farmers for effective transfer of technologies.
• 1. Organising Horticultural seminars and Exhibitions.
• 1. Development of varieties covering early, mid and late season cropping capability.
• 1. Evolving varieties suitable for processing.
• 1. Implementing the recommendation of High Power Committee constituted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for revamping horticulture in Tamil Nadu.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

This Mission will be implemented by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

1. 2.  MINI MISSION – II

TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

OBJECTIVES

• 1. To increase the quantum of production and  productivity  of horticultural producing in the State in general and in kinds like Mango, Banana, Cashew, Tapioca and Flowers in particular.
• 1. To promote cultivation of  horticultural  crops suitable for the area.
• 1. To undertake effective extension activities for creating awareness among the growers to cultivate Horticultural crops and to popularise improved production technologies among the farmers.

COMPONENTS

• 1. Production and supply of quality planting materials.
• 1. Area Expansion – Encouraging diversification in the existing cropping pattern and bringing new areas.
• 1. Dissemination of appropriate production  technologies to the farmers through training and demonstrations.
• 1. Adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management.
• 1. Popularisation of Integrated Pest Management, Organic Farming, Bio-Fertilizers, Botanic Pesticides – Establishment of Plant Health Clinics.
• 1. Production and Distribution of kinds and varieties preferred for export.
• 1. Awareness on sanitation and Phyto-sanitation measures.
• 1. Promotion of use of modern farming tools and equipments.
• 1. Promotion of protected cultivation methods through shadenets, polygreen house etc.
• 1. Promotion of Floriculture both for domestic  and export markets.
• 1. Aiding in establishment of  Agri  Export Zones.
• 1. Encouraging establishment of Eco-Enterprises Park.
• 1. Promoting cultivation of Horticultural crops under the comprehensive Wasteland Programme and other Wasteland development activities.
• 1. Promotional measures for increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• 1. Identification of suitable zones for contract farming.
• 1. Promotion of home gardens in urban areas and commercial gardens in semi urban areas intensively.
• 1. Organizing seed farms for quality production of high yielding for hybrid seeds with emphasis for vegetables.
• 1. Establishing linkages with Commercial Banks and funding institutions to enable higher credit flow for horticulture development.
• 1. Strengthening and efficient utilisation of human resources, both departmental staff and farmers.
• 1. Co-ordination with  National Horticultural Board, APEDA, Small farmers Agri-Business Consortium, NABARD, etc. to access funds under different  schemes.
• 1. Development of market intelligence system by linking major markets of the country and of other countries in the world  through communication net work.
• 1. Involving TANHOPE in organising contract  farming in  the selected districts.
• 1. Involving  TANHOPE  in procurement of  quality planting materials from its member producers.
• 1. Employing Bio-technology and promoting tissue culture plants for planting.
• 1. Popularization of Hi-tech horticulture and precision farming.

MINIMISSION – II A

FRUITS DEVELOPMENT MISSION.

1. a) Mango

STRATEGIES

Productivity increase can be achieved through following measures:-

• 1. Replacement of senile trees with new high yielding varieties.
• 1. Adoption of Integrated Nutrition Management and Integrated Pest Management.
• 1. Efficient Irrigation Management by providing Micro Irrigation System to the new plantation.
• 1. Training to the farmers on Integrated Nutritional Management, Integrated Pest Management and other new technologies.
• 1. Laying of Demonstration  plots in the farmers’ field to enable them to have a visual impact of various new technologies involved in the cultivation of mango crops.
• 1. Production increase would be realised through following approaches:-

New area coverage with export oriented varieties and with a fixed annual targets.

Area coverage under off season mango varieties in select districts.

AREA OF OPERATION

Schemes for productivity increase would be undertaken in all the mango growing districts and area coverage would be confined to select district’s depending on the availability of land in a contiguous stretch and suitable agro climatic conditions for raising export oriented and off season bearing varieties.

(b) BANANA

STRATEGIES

The productivity could be increased by the following measures:-

• Using tissue culture Banana plants to get uniformity in crop stand and higher yield.

• 1. Efficient irrigation management through Micro Irrigation.
• 1. Adoption of Integrated Nutrition Management and Integrated Pest and Disease Management.
• 1. Encouraging high density planting.
• 1. Laying of demonstration plots.
• 1. Training to the farmers on latest technologies so as to improve the productivity.
• 1. Improving post harvest handling by creating adequate infrastructural facilities for storage transport   etc.
• 1. Export varieties would be raised exclusively in large blocks of identified areas.

AREA OF OPERATION

            Banana growing districts would be concentrated with export varieties through this Mission.  All the activities under this Mission would be taken up in these districts.

MINI -  MISSION  II B

VEGETABLE DEVELOPMENT MISSION

TAPIOCA

STRATEGIES

1. Locating virus free pockets and pruning completely virus free sets for planting.
2. Laying of demonstration plots.
3. Replacement of the local varieties with high yielding varieties.
4. Adoption of drought tolerant technologies like diping the sets in Potassium Chloride solutions.
5. Training the farmers and organising seminars, tours etc.
6. Promoting product range by popularising various products through value additions.
7. Encouraging  industrial linkages for manufacture of products other than the presently produced sago (Ethanol), glucose etc.

AREA OPERATION

This programme would cover all districts except Chennai, Nilgiris and delta districts.

MINI – MISSION II - C

CASHEW DEVELOPMENT MISSION

Cashew

STRATEGIES

The productivity increase could be achieved through the following measures:-

1. Popularisation of new high yielding varieties.
2. Imparting improved technologies to the farmers.
3. Rejuvenation of old senile orchards by replanting.
4. Adoption of Integrated Nutrition Management and Integrated Pest Management.
5. Proper irrigation management through micro irrigation.
6. Laying of demonstration plots in the farmers field.
7. Conducting district level, taluk level seminars, awareness campaigns etc.
8. Wide publicity on the benefits of rejuvenation.
9.  

AREA OF OPERATION

The Cashew is cultivated predominantly in 9 districts (Cuddalore, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Theni and Kanniyakumari).  In other 8 districts, it is cultivated in a limited area.  These 17 districts will be covered to increase the productivity of Cashew with high yielding varieties and improved technologies.

MINI-MISSION-D

FLORICULTURE DEVELOPMENT MISSION

Flower

STRATEGIES

• 1. Development of Commercial Floriculture in a scientific way with updated protected horticultural crop production technologies.
• 1. Promotion of traditional flowers production.
• 1. Increasing the area under cut flowers.
• 1. Training the farmers on Hi-tech cultivation of cut flowers and new technologies involved in traditional flower cultivation.
• 1. Adoption of Integrated Nutritional Management and Integrated Pest Management.
• 1. Laying of Demonstration Plots in the farmers field with new improved technologies.

AREA OF OPERATION

Cut flower production would be concentrated in some specific districts, which have suitable agro-climatic conditions for suitable kinds and varieties of cut flowers.

For traditional flowers, all flower-growing districts would be considered to increase the production of traditional flowers.

MINI MISSION-E

MEDICINAL  PLANTS DEVELOPMENT MISSION:

STRATEGIES

• 1. Popularisation of various kinds of medicinal plants suitable for our agro-climatic conditions.
• 1. Laying of demonstration plots with Integrated Pest Management  and Integrated Nutrient Management technologies.
• 1. Area expansion under medicinal crops.
• 1. Encouraging establishment of distillation units.

AREA OPERATION

This mission would be concentrated in select districts.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

This Mission will be implemented by the Department of Horticulture.

 MINI MISSION – III

POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND MARKET LINKAGES:

OBJECTIVES

• 1. To develop Infrastructure for efficient Post Harvest Management.
• 1. To disseminate information on market intelligence.
• 1. To provide linkages between the producers and traders.
• 1. To promote processing industries for value addition.

1. To co-ordinate with APEDA for establishment of Agri Export Zones and  management.

STRATEGIES

Post harvest losses in horticultural kinds is estimated to be around 35-40%.  Infrastructure facilities for post harvest handling like pre-cooling, grading, packing, storage etc. are not adequate at present.  Absence of well knit  transport arrangements as well as cold chain are also a major factor for sizable post  harvest loss in horticultural produces.  Quantum of horticultural produces, presently processed accounts for less than 1% of the total production.  Share of the State in export front is also low.  Building up of an efficient marketing network with private participation is considered to be a great value in bringing down the post harvest losses, besides enabling the farmers to increase their share in the market price.

AGRI- EXPORT ZONES

In accordance  with the Government of India Policy to develop Agri Export Zones in Tamil Nadu, 9 Agri Export Zones have been identified by taking advantage of the nearby Airports:

1. 1. Dharmapuri and Salem Districts for Summer Mangoes (Bangalore Airport)
2. 2. Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli Districts for Winter Mangoes (Thiruvananthapuram Airport)
3. 3. Theni District for Grapes (Madurai Airport)
4. 4.  Hosur in Dharmapuri District and Nilgiris District for English Vegetables (Bangalore / Coimbatore Airport)
5. 5. Trichy and Thanjavur Districts for Banana (Trichy Airport)
6. 6. Cuddalore and Pudukottai Districts for Cashew (Chennai / Trichy Airport)
7. 7.  Hosur in Dharmapuri District for Cut flowers (Bangalore Airport) and
8. 8.  Erode District for Onion (Coimbatore / Salem Airport)

Focus shall be given to increase the production of export oriented crops in these Zones.

COMPONENTS

• 1. Provision of facilities in the existing regulated markets for storage, handling, grading, packing and storage etc.
• 1. Facilitating the creation of amenities both in the production  centres and in the terminal markets for storages.
• 1. Co-ordination with Industries Department / Small Industries Department to organise processing of fruits and vegetables in the proposed scheme for “one Industry in every  Block” under the New Anna Marumalarchi Scheme.
• 1. Establishment of “Mega Markets” with all modern facilities.
• 1. Identification of potential exporters and arranging linkages with the producers to ensure the production of quality produce.
• 1. Organizing meeting of producers, traders and exporters, which would serve as a platform for evolving an effective system for better export.
• 1. Strengthening marketing infrastructures namely improvement of services in wholesale markets, development of rural primary markets, promotion of Agmark and domestic trade, the state grading laboratories, Agricultural Marketing Information network etc.
• 1. Co-ordination with APEDA, National Horticultural Board etc. for efficient Post Harvest Management.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

This Mission will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business.

.