Farmers encouraged to embrace Horticulture under NHM Scheme for higher profits
Ferozepur, September 19, 2024: The Punjab Government is taking significant steps to boost farmers' income and ensure crop diversification. To promote horticulture, various subsidy schemes are being implemented by the government, under the guidance of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Horticulture, Information, and Public Relations Minister, Chetan Singh Jouramajra
Dr. Balkar Singh, Deputy Director of Horticulture, emphasized the need for farmers to move away from the traditional wheat-paddy crop cycle and adopt more profitable crops. He highlighted that crop diversification is essential to preserve groundwater levels and protect natural resources. The department is providing technical assistance and implementing various schemes such as establishing new orchards, cultivating hybrid vegetables and flowers, mushroom production units, vermin compost units, and setting up poly houses/net houses for protected cultivation. Farmers can avail of subsidies ranging from 40% to 50% for these initiatives.
Added here that a 50% subsidy is available for setting up pack houses in fields for post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables. A 35% subsidy is also offered for cold storage facilities, ripening chambers, cold rooms, integrated pack houses, refrigerated vans, and storage units for onions.
The government has introduced new schemes to further promote horticulture. Farmers can receive a grant of ₹10,000 per acre for installing drip irrigation systems in new orchards. There is also a 50% subsidy for replacing poly house sheets, covering up to 4,000 square meters. To support the marketing of fruits and vegetables, a 50% subsidy is provided on crates and cardboard boxes. For flower seed production, farmers can receive a subsidy of ₹14,000 per acre, covering 40% of the costs.
Dr. Singh urged farmers to take full advantage of these schemes to advance the horticulture sector. For more information, farmers can contact the concerned block horticulture officer or the district head.