Farmers need more subsidies for fruit farming in the State. In this regard, the State Government is planning to seek more allocations of funds for the fruit farming from the Centre.
As per sources, an amount between Rs 1.12 lakh and 1.41 lakh is being spent per hectare for quality mango farming in the State.
Similarly, Rs 60,000 is spent per hectare for papaya cultivation, Rs 1.24 lakh for banana cultivation per hectare, Rs 87,000 is spent for pineapple cultivation per hectare.
While these cultivations are being carried out through National Horticulture Mission in 24 districts of the State, the farmers are being provided 40-50 per cent subsidy.
As the subsidy amount is less, the State Government wants the Centre to bear the expenses towards the plantation in the first year for this cultivation.
On the other hand, the Government has decided to demand the Centre for raising the subsidy amount provided for ginger and turmeric cultivation in the State.
While Rs 30,000 is spent for ginger and turmeric production per hectare in 24 districts, only 40 per cent subsidy is being provided to the farmers for the cultivation. In order to make this cultivation wide across the State, the Government has decided to raise its demand before the Centre.
The farmers are given Rs 6,500 for coconut farming per hectare through Coconut Development Board (CDB). The amount is being provided in two phases in two years to the farmers.
However, around Rs 80,000 is spent for the coconut cultivation per hectare. At least Rs 40,000 subsidy should be provided for the cultivation, sources said.
The State is planning to raise the subsidy amount for coconut cultivation in its demand.
Besides, the Government will also demand to provide 50 per cent of the total expenses or Rs 25 lakh to the entrepreneurs, who want to set up a plant for palm oil production in the State. Notably, the Centre is providing adequate subsidy to the farmers to set up 5-metric tonne capacity per hour- palm processing plant in north-east region of the country.