The Gujarat state government has sanctioned Rs 450 mln (€5 mln) for increased mango, banana and guava cultivation. The government said it aims to ensure that 19,500 hectares of land is planted with these fruits. According to State Agriculture Minister RaghaAi Patel, farmers can raise their incomes considerably by shifting to these fruit crops. He added that crop diversification will also help maintain soil health.
Farmers who adopt mango farming will get assistance of Rs 100 per sapling, while those who adopt banana farming will get assistance of Rs 5 per sapling, the minister said. Similarly, the government will grant assistance of Rs 80 per sapling for those who adopt guava cultivation, an official statement said.
The statement added that the government aims to bring 15,000 hectares of land under banana plantation, 2,500 hectares of land under mango and 2,000 hectares of land under guava plantation through the scheme.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
