Corporates Urged To Adopt Contract Farming

As many as 250 horticulture experts, including scientists from agricultural universities and research institutions, representatives of the corporate sector and government officials participated in the meet. The participants suggested further simplification of import procedures and reduction in customs duties, especially on equipment for pre-cooling of fruits, to encourage development of commercial horticulture in the country. They concluded that contract farming is a better alternative than captive production or open market purchases, adding that the services of non-governmental organisations can be utilised for this purpose.

The seminar recommended a review of the present land ceiling act to create conditions conducive to the development of horticulture on commercial lines.It also called for improvement of the road and rail transport systems to make them friendly for handling horticultural produce.

 

The seminar called for promotion of organic farming through Krishi

Vigyan Kendras as it is cost effective and eco-friendly, suggesting that farmers, especially horticulturists, should be told about the advantages of organic agriculture and given basic training in raising of plants under this system.

The participants stressed the need for raising domestic cashew production to reduce dependence on imports of raw nuts. Cashew plantations should be integrated with wasteland development programmes, it suggested.

The seminar also identified the thrust areas for the ninth plan.

These include post-harvest management; area expansion; crop diversification; quality upgradation of horticultural plantations; export enhancement measures; and boosting consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The participants felt that in view of the high export potential of several minor and neglected fruits such as pomegranate, Ber, Amla and Sapota, these should be promoted during the next plan.

The output of quality high-yielding seeds, especially hybrids, of fruits and vegetables should be stepped up to meet the burgeoning demand, they said.

This would require strict imposition of the seed/nurseries Act to curb the supply of seedlings of unknown parentage.