Chhattisgarh where roughly 40 percent areas are covered by forests, has carved its niche in the past one decade as a leading State in the production of horticulture crops such as fruits, vegetables and flowers, Government data showed on Saturday.
Officials claimed that Chhattisgarh which completes 16 years of its formation as a separate state on Nov 1, 2016, has registered manifold increase in horticulture crops' output.
The State can be geographically divided into three zones in view of horticulture development. Hilly areas (Bastar), flat land on hills (Surguja) and plains (Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur). A master-plan for the development of horticulture had been prepared by the State Government on the basis of geographical distinction.
There is four-time increase in acreage of horticulture and five times increase in the production of fruits, vegetables and flowers in the past thirteen years. The horticulture crops include fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, medicinal and scented plants.
The acreage under horticulture is about 7.92 lakh hectare in 2015-2016. Earlier, in the year 2004-2005 the acreage under horticulture crops had been about a little over 2.1 lakh hectare land.
'Cluster' pattern is adopted in developing horticulture and the implementation of new projects. Twenty -five villages are located in each development block and in each village a minimum of 20 acres is identified. Each cluster will have 200 acre land. Fruits' crops are developed in almost all the districts of the State.
Mangoes, bananas, papaya, guavas, lime, narangi, kathal, lemons, cashew-nuts, custard apple, litchi, watermelon, amala, cherries, sapotas (Chiku), pomegranate, coconuts and many other fruit-bearing trees are grown on a large-scale in the entire state.
The 'Made in Chhattisgarh' watermelons are very popular all over the world particularly in Middle-East. Watermelon is grown on a wide-scale at Mahanadi Basin-Janjgir-Champa and Mahasamund districts.
The production of flowers had increased several times after the formation of the State. 'Gendha' (Marigold), Roses, Rajnigandha ,Guldaudhi, Gladioleus, Chameli (Jasmine) and many other varieties are grown. Marigold plants are grown in the entire State.
Horticulture department officials added that Bilaspur and Korba districts are famous for Rose plants. 'Chameli' (Jasmine) is grown on a massive scale in Raipur and Dhamtari districts. Ginger, dhania, chillies, garlic, turmeric, methi and many other spices' plants. Ginger is grown in almost all the districts of the State. Bilaspur district leads in medicinal and scented plants in Chhattisgarh.
Vegetables are grown in all the 27 districts of the State. Cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, tomatoes, ladyfinger, potatoes, green peas, karela, loki, torai, munga, kochai (arwi) carrot, parwal, onion and several other kinds of vegetables. Jashpur, Surguja, Balrampur and Surajpur districts are famous for the potatoes. The flat land on the hills is suitable for growing potatoes. Tomatoes are grown in all the 27 districts in the State. 'Yams' (Jimmikhand) is grown on a massive scale, 3,721 metric ton- in Kanker district.
Modern amenities are provided to the horticulture sector to preserve and increase production of various plants. Infrastructure has been developed to help the sector.
Adequate irrigation facilities has been developed for horticulture plants. About 5,700 hand-pumps had been sunk for the purpose. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation had been provided in all the districts. Eighty-two model nurseries had been developed for horticulture crops-vegetables, flowers- to preserve high-quality breed plants. Thirty nurseries had been upgraded. The state Government had drawn a blue-print to double the income of horticulture farmers by the year 2022. Minor and medium sector packaging industry is being encouraged by the authorities.
