Horticulture productivity worries RECARD

The Regional Consultative Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (RECARD) has expressed concern over the low productivity of horticultural crops like mango, guava, banana and vegetables like cauliflower and tomato in the state.

It has suggested the government to increase productivity, ensure proper utilisation of land, generate employment in the agricultural sector, emphasise on export potential and to promote plantation and horticultural activities. The committee, in its meeting held recently, approved an action plan for the purpose.

The action plan included steps for adequate supply of quality planting material, large scale production and supply of tissue cultured banana plants, transfer of crop specific technologies to farmers and field exposure on scientific crop cultivation and awareness campaign for rejuvenation of senile orchards and plantations among others.

Though Orissa is one of the leading states figuring in the horticultural map of the country with 6.3 percent of the total area under horticultural crops, the state’s average productivity has been very low. The average productivity of the state compared to national productivity was 36 percent in bananas, 49 percent in mangoes, 53 percent in litchi, 55 percent in papaya, 60 percent in guava and 88 percent in citrus fruits.