India: Odisha to promote area expansion of five vegetable crops

The Directorate of Horticulture has decided to promote the cultivation of potatoes, onion, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower over an area of 15,000 hectares in the ensuing rabi season with a cold storage-centric cluster approach. “The run-of-the-mill approach adopted may not help make the State self-sufficient. Area expansion of the crops of these vegetables has to be explored beyond its conventional cultivation period and suitable sites with favorable ambient conditions promoting these vegetables and spices accompanied with adaptable variety may address the concern to a substantial extent,” said a letter from the Horticulture Director to all deputy directors and assistant directors of the department. The directorate has set a 5,000-hectare target each for potato and onion cultivation while a similar area has to be identified in the district for tomato, cabbage and cauliflower farming. The financial support from the government will be Rs 29 crore each for potato and onion ...