District targets 100 polyhouse farms by 2015
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KOCHI: Finance minister K M Mani
had indicated in his budget speech that the government would fully
support high-tech agriculture to boost vegetable production. There is a
hint of silent revolution in Kochi with agricultural and related
departments registering an increase in the number of queries for polyhouse technology, especially among youngsters.
The district already has 40 polyhouses and another 60 will be added to this tally by end of this year. "We have already received 60 applications from citizens. The proposals are in different stages of registration. We are also encouraging clusters among these farmers so that they can plan their crop and sell their produce together," said state horticulture mission director K Prathapan. There are about 600 polyhouses in Kerala.
Officials said Kochi's commercial capital status would be one reason why polyhouse farming has picked up in the district. "Scope for receiving good returns could be an incentive here. People are ready to pay more as long as it is guaranteed to be pesticide-free," said vegetable and fruits promotion council Keralam chief executive officer S Sivaprasad, adding that most owners are reaping benefits with their products earning a value that is 30% to 40 % higher than the market rate.
District horticulture deputy director Valsa Augustine says that young farmers have taken to high-tech farming sine they know more about newer technologies. "You don't need too much area for farming. The chances of disease are also very minimal because it is protected within an enclosure. The government is giving a subsidy of 75% for this high-tech farming," she said.
The district panchayat has also launched an ambitious project of setting up 252 polyhouses, a target of three in each panchayat, over the next five years. Under the project, a subsidy of 75% will be given to a polyhouse unit covering a 400 sq m area. Centre will give 50% subsidy, 25% by the state.
The remaining amount can be raised by availing loans from cooperative banks.
The district already has 40 polyhouses and another 60 will be added to this tally by end of this year. "We have already received 60 applications from citizens. The proposals are in different stages of registration. We are also encouraging clusters among these farmers so that they can plan their crop and sell their produce together," said state horticulture mission director K Prathapan. There are about 600 polyhouses in Kerala.
Officials said Kochi's commercial capital status would be one reason why polyhouse farming has picked up in the district. "Scope for receiving good returns could be an incentive here. People are ready to pay more as long as it is guaranteed to be pesticide-free," said vegetable and fruits promotion council Keralam chief executive officer S Sivaprasad, adding that most owners are reaping benefits with their products earning a value that is 30% to 40 % higher than the market rate.
District horticulture deputy director Valsa Augustine says that young farmers have taken to high-tech farming sine they know more about newer technologies. "You don't need too much area for farming. The chances of disease are also very minimal because it is protected within an enclosure. The government is giving a subsidy of 75% for this high-tech farming," she said.
The district panchayat has also launched an ambitious project of setting up 252 polyhouses, a target of three in each panchayat, over the next five years. Under the project, a subsidy of 75% will be given to a polyhouse unit covering a 400 sq m area. Centre will give 50% subsidy, 25% by the state.
The remaining amount can be raised by availing loans from cooperative banks.
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