City to become fruit hub

City to become fruit hub
Some targeted places to increase fruit production: Rural and urban Bangalore, Kolar , T umkur , Chitradurga, Belgaum
Vijay Times

WITH subsidies having been granted to the fruit producers of the State through the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Bangalore is now aiming to become one of the major exporters of fruits in the world. One of the key propositions forwarded by the NHM is to double the area of production in order to have a greater yield.

Those in the fruits section under the State Horticulture Department say that the State will have a good yield of fruits within th next few years.

"W e are concentrating on area expansion for five major fruit crops. They are mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, bananas and pineapples. W e are planning to make Karnataka a hub for export of fruits," said S V Hittalmani, Additional Director of Horticulture. Subsidies, in the form of materials, will b given to the farmers for developing their fruit orchids. While subsidies worth Rs 15,000 per hectare of land will be granted to mango, pineapple and banana producers, Rs 22,500 will be granted to the producers of grapes and pomegranates.

Besides, a monetary support of Rs 1.5 lakh would be provided to the owners of fruit nurseries.

"Rainwater harvesting is also being accorded importance. Thus, to encourage it, a subsidy of Rs 25,000 for each structure farm pond will be given," said Hittalmani.

Also, a subsidy of Rs 3.5 lakh would be provided to set up market facilities for fruit producers. Mobile process units and pack houses would also be given assistance.

Market information centres would be set up to provide information about the price situation and demand scenario in the market. "As we are looking to be a major exporter fruits, especially grapes and pomegranates, priority will be given to fumigation centres that will help in disinfecting the products, said Hittalmani.

Grapes are exported to parts of Europe and pomegranates to Middle East and South East Asia.