Raipur: Special article: Horticulture boosts employment and economic independence

The area and production of horticultural crops is increasing rapidly in the state. At present, 8 lakh 61 thousand 663 hectares of horticulture crops are being taken in the state of Chhattisgarh and their annual production has exceeded one crore metric tons. Several facilities and provisions have been made in the new industrial policy by the state government for setting up processing and value addition based units, so that farmers can get better prices for their produce.  

    Due to the climatic diversity of the state of Chhattisgarh, there is immense potential for cultivation of all types of horticultural crops. Pears, grapes, tea, coffee, cashew, strawberry, alucha in the hilly region of Surguja region, dragon fruit, plum, mango, guava, banana lime and coconut, cashew, coffee, cinnamon, in the plateau region of Bastar in the plains of the state Considering the immense potential of bay leaf and pepper production, their cultivation and commercial production are being encouraged. All types of vegetables are being cultivated in the state. The Government of Chhattisgarh is taking initiatives to increase the income of farmers and connect the youth with employment by promoting the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables and spices and their commercial production in the state.  
    
    High quality seeds and plants are being provided to the farmers of the state for horticulture cultivation through 133 government nurseries in the state. 27.79 lakh metric tons of fruits, 71.58 lakh metric tons of vegetables, 3.54 lakh metric tons of spices, 76 thousand metric tons of flowers and 59 thousand tons of medicinal are being produced every year in the state. Commercial production of mangoes of Dussehari, Langra and Chausa is being done on about 16 thousand hectares in Bilaspur in Raigad. Dragonfoot in 300 hectares in Rajnandgaon, Durg and Raigad, Lychee in around 5500 hectares in Surguja, Surajpur and Jashpur and Nashpatti in 2000 hectares are being produced.