The Odisha government has directed its Horticulture Department to enhance the production of some fruits and vegetables to meet the market demand in the state. Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra directed the Department to make a detailed study on production and requirement of fruits and vegetables like mango, guava, papaya, lemon, onion and tomato in the state.
He directed the officials to increase the production of these crops through a definite action plan and popularization of micro-irrigation. The Chief Secretary stressed the need to popularize sprinklers and drip methods among farmers having their land near bore well, deep-well and minor irrigation points. These methods will enhance efficiency and sustainability of irrigation sources and will also increase productivity of the land.
Earlier, the cluster approach was adopted for the promotion of banana, guava and papaya in several districts. The government has set a target to promote the crops in over 1,260 hectares in the current year as against 1,015 hectares in 2021-22.
Source: orissapost.com