Bengaluru: The chief minister proposes to give priority and promote exotic fruits such as fashion fruit, Rambutan, Durian, Dragon fruit, Litchi, Mangosteen, Apple Ber, Avacado, Jamun, Strawberry and others and also new and seedless varieties of Custard apple l and Guava will be given priority and promoted under the Central sponsored and State sector schemes in the current year.
“Assistance will be given to farmers for integrated pest and nutrient management covering one lakh hectares of horticulture area to reduce application of chemical pesticides and to protect horticultural crops against pest and diseases thereby getting increased yield. For this purpose, grant of Rs.10 crore will be provided in 2018-19. Use of Hydroponics technology will be promoted for growing of tomato, capsicum, brinjal and leafy vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas,’’ the chief minister said.
He said the coconut plantations have suffered on account of continuous drought during the last 3 years. “These plantations will be rejuvenated by following integrated management practice involving adoption of Integrated Pests and Nutrient Management, replanting in the next five years, in the interest of coconut growers. In 2018-19, a total amount of Rs. 995 crore is provided to the Horticulture Department,’’ he said.
Rs 457 crore sericulture
The budget proposes to develop Sericulture Tourism (Seri Tourism) on the Bengaluru –
Mysore corridor in collaboration with the Central Silk Board. An international level “live museum” will be
established in the sericulture area of Channapatna.
“From mulberry agricultural activity up to the manufacture of silk cloth silk museum will be
developed at Talghattapura’s Karnataka State Silk Research and Development Institute,’’ the chief minister said.
An extent of 40 acres of land is available under the jurisdiction of the Sericulture department and sub
centre of State Silk Research and Development Centre at Biligiri Ranga hill area. In this, after developing mulberry tree agriculture, by constructing silk worm farming shed at low cost for the benefit of Soliga community, it is proposed to undertake bivoltine silk worm farming.
“This will lead to the improvement of economic status of this community and there will be scope for the extension of sericulture activities too. During 2018-19, a total amount of Rs. 457 crore is provided to Sericulture Department,’’ he said.
