Horticulture

In Ramanathapuram District the major Horticulture Crops grown are Chillies, Coriander, Mango, Brinjal, Bhendi, Onion, Jasmine etc., In total about 20,000 ha of area covered by various Horticulture Crops in this district. Doubling production and tripling income of farmers is the prime policy of Tamilnadu. Encouraging technologies, promoting horticulture as a profitable and viable sector by leveraging technologies, encouraging farm mechanization and improved Post Harvest Management etc., Paves the way for achieving the policy.

The strategies of horticulture Department are to encourage the use of hybrid seeds and quality planting marterial in area expansion of horticulture crops, hi-tech cultivation, high density planting, promotion of cultivating high value horticulture crops in protected cultivation, use of micro irrigation, pollination support through bee keeping for enhancing the production, Integrated nutrient management, pest and disease management, farm mechanization and improved Post Harvest Management techniques. The hybrid vegetable protray seedlings will be raised in State Horticulture Farms and distributed to farmers at subsidized cost to increase the area under vegetable cultivation.

Major schemes implemented in Ramanathapuram district

Micro Irrigation scheme under Per Drop More Crop component Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Micro irrigation is an advanced water conservation and management technology that improves water use efficiency by 40-60%. Irrigation is a critical factor for increasing production and productivity of crop. Since, Tamil Nadu has only 3 percent water resources, the State is keen to use efficiency is also ensured by applying fertilizers through irrigation water directly in the root zones. This irrigation technology minimizes the weed growth and reduces the labour requirement. Through Micro irrigation, area under cultivation is increased with available water leads in doubling the production resulted in tripling of farmer’s income. In Tamil Nadu Government has given big thrust to Micro Irrigation and it is the only State in the Country Which continued its support to provide 100% subsidy to Small and Marginal farmers and 75% subsidy to Other farmers. This scheme is implemented with a sharing pattern of 60:40 between Centre and State. During the year 2017-18 a sum of Rs.113.00 lakhs is alloted to this scheme to cover an area of 200 ha to Horticulture crops.

National Horticulture Mission

The main focus of National Horticulture is to encourage horticulture crops cultivation among farmers. Area expansion of high remunerative horticulture crops such as vegetables, Fruits, Spices and Condiments, Flowers and plantation crops is being promoted with adoption of high tech cultivation practices. National Horticulture Mission is implemented with fund sharing pattern of 60:40 between Centre and State Under this scheme assistances was given to the beneficiaries to establish area expansion of Mango, Chillies, Pollination support through bee keeping, mechanization of Horticulture, Integrated Nutrient Management, Pack house and special intervention. This year financial outlay of Rs.116.00 lakhs is allotted to this district.

National Agriculture Development Programme

National Agricultural Development Programme is a shared scheme between Centre and State with 60:40 sharing pattern. Under this scheme Assistance was given to Horticulture Introduction to Non-Farm Sector, Assistance for Crop Specific Harvest & Post Harvest equipment, Vegetable & Medicinal Plants Kits. During the year 2017-18 a sum of Rs.5.9 lakhs is alloted to this scheme.

Rainfed Area Development

RAD aims at promoting Integrated Farming System (IFS) with emphasis on multi tier cropping, rotational cropping, inter-cropping, mixed-cropping paractices with allied activities like horticulture, live stock, fishery, agro-forestry, apiculture, etc, to enable farmers not only in maximizing farm returns for sustaining livelihood, but also to mitigate impacts of drought flood or other extreme weather events. Rainfed Area Development under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is implemented with a sharing pattern of 60:40 between Center and State In 2017-18 it is proposed to implement the scheme at an outlay of Rs.8.4 lakhs.

Crop Insurance – “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana” (PMFBY)

The Government is implementing this scheme with a deep concern to protect the livelihood of the farmers suffering from crop losses. The new Crop Insurance Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana” (PMFBY) conceptualised to protect the farmers from production risks, ensure food security, encourage crop diversification, besides enhancing growth and competitiveness of agriculture sector is implemented with the following objectives Extending financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events Stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming Encouraging farmers to adopt innovative and modern agriculture practices. Uniform cut-off date for enrolment of loanee and non loanee farmers is the other benefit that will be provided under this scheme.

Further the farmers would get more accurate compensation for crop loss since revenue village has been notified as the unit of insurance. Ramanathapuram district has been categorised under cluster I and implemented by Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd.

State Horticulture Farm

Estabhishment of New State Horticulture Farm is Under Progress in Oriyur Village of Thiruvadanai block at the cost of Rs.118.18 Lakhs. The objective of state Horticulture Farms is timely production and distribution of pedigree and quality planling materials of Horticulture Crops to the Farmers. These farms also serve as demonstration centres on the latest technology, farm mechanization, modern irrigation technologies etc., to the farmers. As a new venture, high yielding varieties/hybrids of vegetables and flower seedlings are produced in protrays for distribution to the farmers.

Palai Genetic Heritage Garden

A Genetic Heritage Garden christened ‘PALAI’ has been established in Achadipirambu Village of Ramanathapuram District.There by achieving the concept of reating a heritage garden similar to those existed in the sangam era of Tamil Culture. The garden ‘PALAI’ opened to the public will serve not only as an entertainment park for recreation, but will also help in learning about our cultural heritage. The Palai Gentic Heritage Garden, Achadipirambu established in the East Coast Road, just 5km away from Ramanathapuram town by the Horticulture Department with a financial outlay of Rs.7.35 Crores. The total area of the garden is 25 acres Children’s play area, information and multi media centre, food kios, Thatched Roof pathways, Gazebos, cave pathways sculptures, oasis, lawn and garden, Illuminating light decorations are the major attractions in the garden.

Official Contact:

Deputy Director of Horticulture,

Collectorate Complex, Ramanathapuram.
eMail : ddhramanathapuram[at]yahoo[dot]com
Phone No : 04567-230832