India: Government to provide grants and subsidies for cultivation of water chestnuts and medicinal plants

The government of Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of Bharat Singh Kushwaha, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture and Food Processing, has announced a significant financial assistance package for horticulture farmers in the state. This initiative, part of the Poly-house and Shade Net scheme, aims to support the cultivation of water chestnuts and medicinal plants, with funds being disbursed in installments through DBT. Additionally, the government plans to establish District Horticulture Advisory Committees to foster organic horticulture and ensure the implementation of farmer-friendly schemes. Furthermore, the government promises improvements in seed and plant varieties, subsidies for greenhouse farms, and initiatives for cold-storage construction. This comprehensive plan aims to enhance the horticulture sector by addressing the demands and needs of farmers, including the production of high-demand and high-price crops like water chestnuts, and providing subsidies for seed purchases and quality testing. Moreover, a scheme for wire-fencing of agricultural fields to protect horticulture crops from stray cattle and wild animals is soon to be implemented.