Latest news with #MIDH
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Workshop on Krishi Mapper app organised in Himachal
An online meeting and training session on the 'Krishi Mapper' application, a digital platform developed by the Government of India for capturing the exact location of fields, orchard and assets through geo-tagging and geo-fencing, was organised under the chairmanship of horticulture director Vinay Singh on Wednesday. During the training session, emphasis was laid on the mandatory adoption of geo-tagging and geo-fencing for all components of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) schemes. (File) A spokesperson of the horticulture department informed that this application would support real-time monitoring for instant supervision of field activities and assessment of progress besides elimination of duplication of beneficiaries to ensure transparency. The application would be beneficial in maintaining the centralised digital database for maintaining integrated records of all horticulture and agriculture activities. He said that the application is accessible as a mobile app and web portal, enabling data entry at the field level. The upcoming feature of the application would be capable of capturing data even without network connectivity. During the training session, emphasis was laid on the mandatory adoption of geo-tagging and geo-fencing for all components of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) schemes. Instructions were given for timely data uploading, creation of user IDs at departmental and field level and strict compliance to avoid stoppage of funds by the Centre. It was also directed that no subsidy should be released without geo-tagging and geo-fencing and that all field officers should be given immediate training on user ID creation for effective implementation of Krishi Mapper. The spokesperson said that the main features of Krishi Mapper are real-time monitoring, elimination of beneficiary duplication and the training and sensitisation of field staff. Upcoming features include integration with the MIDH Suraksha portal, offline data entry facility and expansion of the application.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ludhiana's Punjab Agricultural University bags horticulture development research project.
Ludhiana: In a significant step toward promoting biocontrol of diseases, biocontrol laboratory, department of plant pathology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has bagged MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture), Horticulture Mission Project, Government of Punjab, worth Rs 24 lakh. Scientists from the department of plant pathology, involved in the project, included principal investigator Dr Daljeet Singh Buttar; and Drs Amarjit Singh, (Mrs) Amrinder Kaur, Dr Ajay Chaudhary, and Dr Jagdish Arora. These scientists have brought laurels to the institution by bagging research project entitled 'Front line demonstration for management of foot rot/gummosis of citrus using biocontrol agent Trichoderma asperellum', awarded by MIDH for a duration of three years. The project will support research on biocontrol of citrus diseases at PAU. Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU vice-chancellor, remarked, "This project is a testament to the outstanding research capabilities on biocontrol of diseases and dedication that exemplifies PAU's scientific community." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews agriculture and rural development initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir
New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a detailed review meeting with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the State Secretariat in Srinagar on Wednesday, said a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development. Speaking at a press conference later, Chouhan emphasised that a developed Jammu & Kashmir is crucial to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. Several important decisions were taken in the interests of farmers and rural residents of the region, he said. During the interaction with the media alongside Omar Abdullah, Chouhan noted that agriculture remains the backbone of both the Indian and Jammu & Kashmir economies, with nearly 50% of the population depending on it for livelihood. He praised the state's initiative 'KisanKhidmatGhar' -- a one-stop center providing farmers access to all agricultural services under one roof. Chouhan expressed satisfaction with the variety of horticulture crops grown in the region, such as apples, almonds, and walnuts. However, he also raised a critical issue -- imported plant materials often turn out to be infected after two or three years. To address this, a Rs 150-crore Clean Plant Center will be established in Srinagar under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). It will focus on clean, disease-free planting material for apples, almonds, walnuts, and berries. Private nurseries will also be supported to ensure high-quality, pathogen-free plants are made available to farmers. He also stated that farmers in J&K who have received land allotments from the government but lack official documentation will be considered for inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The government is also planning to launch the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) soon to ensure that horticulture crops are accurately mapped and included under the PM Fasal BimaYojana (PMFBY). Commenting on the demand for a Regional Horticulture Center in the Jammu region, Shri Chouhan announced that ICAR would support Jammu Agricultural University with the required infrastructure. The minister further said that the current storage limit in CA (Controlled Atmosphere) facilities would be extended from 18 months to 24 months. For the horticulture mission, subsidies will be provided for up to a storage capacity of 5,000 metric tons, and even those who have constructed facilities with 6,000 MT capacity will be eligible for subsidy up to 5,000 MT. An MoU will also be signed between ICAR and the university to facilitate cooperation. Highlighting 'saffron' as a symbol of Kashmir's identity, Shri Chouhan announced that the central government would establish a tissue culture lab and nursery to boost saffron production. He said the National Saffron Mission would be revised to suit local conditions, and an expert team of scientists would be formed to improve productivity and reduce losses. For improving soil health and fertilizer regulation, Quality Control Labs will be set up in Kathua, Baramulla, and Anantnag. Under the RKVY scheme, efforts will also be made to enhance irrigation by bridging gaps from canal to field. Chouhan recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the region, where he had announced over Rs 4,200 crore under Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to improve road connectivity in rural areas. He appreciated the fast-paced work of the J&K government and said that road construction for remaining areas will begin soon. He noted that 93% of houses under the PM Awas Yojana have been completed, and the remaining eligible beneficiaries--identified from a pool of 500,000 applicants--will be allotted homes after verification. To alleviate rural poverty, women are being empowered through Self Help Groups under NRLM, with many becoming Lakhpati Didis and even Millionaire Didis earning Rs 10 lakh annually. Regarding employment, he said that targets have been set to ensure job availability through MGNREGA, and training programs for youth will also begin shortly. The government will also ensure that no eligible farmer is left out of the Kisan Credit Card scheme. In conclusion, Chouhan said that the government is proud of its achievements and committed to implementing central schemes effectively. Echoing Prime Minister Modi's vision, he assured that all efforts will be made to accelerate the development of Jammu & Kashmir. He thanked the Chief Minister and reaffirmed the commitment to work together for the region's progress. (ANI)
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Blossoming hub of dragon fruit cultivation: Mirzapur leads UP's 260-hectare expansion; govt plans support centre
Dragon fruit cultivation is gaining traction in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Mirzapur, due to its profitability and health benefits LUCKNOW: The cultivation of dragon fruit or 'Kamalam', an exotic fruit originally from Central America and Mexico which is emerging as a super crop worldwide given its health and medicinal benefits, is emerging as a profitable venture in Uttar Pradesh. Dragon fruit is tolerant to abiotic stresses, pests, and diseases. It has a low requirement for water and nutrients, gives multiple harvests in a year, sustains high yield up to 20 years, and has high nutraceutical and functional properties, being rich in antioxidants and fibers. Though it is highly perishable, having a shelf life of 5-7 days at ambient Indian conditions, it can be processed into various value-added products. Dragon Fruit In India& Uttar Pradesh Though dragon fruit was introduced in India in the late 1990s and between 2005 and 2017 the area under its cultivation increased from 4 to 400 hectares in different states, it wasn't until 2024 that Uttar Pradesh embraced this exotic fruit on a commercial scale, with Mirzapur emerging as a key player. According to the eye-estimated data (based on interaction with farmers and ocular estimates) of the state horticulture department, dragon fruit is commercially grown over 260 hectares in UP, and the average yield per hectare was nine metric tonnes in 2024-25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 「早くやって」1日たった10秒で体重が… 大正製薬 続きを読む Undo The most commonly grown variety of the fruit in UP is red-skinned with red flesh. 'The initial investment is high for growing dragon fruit, as it requires making cemented pillars for plants to grow and take support of,' said sources in the horticulture department. However, it is one of the fastest returning perennial fruit crops, assuming full production within five years of plantation. Given the lesser number of commercial producers of dragon fruit in the country and an ever-increasing demand because of its health and medicinal benefits, its cultivation is a profitable venture. Under the centrally-sponsored Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme, farmers in the country are given a 40% subsidy on the input cost of over Rs 6,75,000 lakh per hectare for the commercial cultivation of dragon fruit, provided the survival of the crop is 80% in the first year. Mirzapur, The New Hub Commercial cultivation of dragon fruit is being carried out in several districts in UP, such as Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Ambedkarnagar, Hardoi, Ghazipur, and Barabanki. However, it is Mirzapur that has taken the lead as its climate has proven particularly conducive to dragon fruit cultivation, allowing the crop to flourish. In 2024-25, the region cultivated crops over 100 hectares, out of a total of 260 hectares where the crop was grown in UP in the last financial year. As Mirzapur continues to cultivate this vibrant fruit, it not only boosts the local economy but also positions itself as a pivotal hub in the agricultural landscape. The Way Ahead In 2025-26, the state govt plans to bring in 200 hectares more under dragon fruit cultivation in the state by covering new farmers under the scheme. Not only this, the govt is also considering setting up an exclusive centre of excellence for dragon fruit in Mirzapur's Deoria Kalan village to provide high-quality planting material to farmers and train them in its cultivation and processing. 'The reason why the govt is encouraging more and more farmers to grow it on a commercial level is because it can be grown in a wide range of agro-climatic zones, including areas of high temperature and water scarcity regions,' said sources. The govt is keen to promote its commercial cultivation in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP earmarks 5 hectares to grow dates on a commercial basis
L Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ucknow: In a first for the state, UP is set to grow dates (khajoor) on a commercial basis under the mission for integrated development of horticulture (MIDH) scheme of the centre. To begin with, the state has set the target of a meagre five hectares for date palm cultivation for 2025-26. Considering the agro-climatic conditions required for date palm cultivation, Mirzapur in Vindhya or Jalaun in Bundelkhand may be picked up as the area for production. Date palm cultivation was a new component introduced by the centre under the MIDH scheme sponsored by it, and the states were assigned the target for cultivation. The state horticulture department already has a plan to promote the cultivation of commercially viable varieties of fruits, like dragon fruit and strawberry. The promotion of date palm cultivation was added to the plan. "Date palm being a high-yielding crop will help increase the income of the farmers and revenue to the state," said an official of the horticulture department, which began its experiment with the crop last year. Over 250 plants of the Barahi variety (which produces dates) were procured from an agriculture university in Rajasthan and planted sporadically on govt land in Mirzapur. The trees are over a year old now and are expected to yield fruits by the third year. The experiment will help to learn to deal with challenges, like rains in June-July when the crop is still raw, said sources. The weather-related challenges will need a special focus in growing date palm in UP, which is a crop of dry and arid zones. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To encourage farmers to grow the crop, a 40% subsidy on the input cost of Rs 4 lakh per hectare has been fixed for the commercial cultivation of the tissue culture plant. Because chances of survival for date palm saplings are low, the tissue culture plant is the most stable choice, and farmers growing them will only get the subsidy. The centre of excellence, which the department is planning to set up in Mirzapur for commercially profitable varieties, will further promote date palm cultivation in UP.
