Introduction:
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that in order to provide strategic development to the horticulture sector, so as to increase farmers income, a pioneer project called CHAMAN, has been launched three years back by the Government.
About CHAMAN:
- This project is being implemented by Mahalanob is National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) using remote sensing technology and is likely to be completed in March 2018.
- CHAMAN is a pioneer project in which remote sensing technique is being used for strategic development of horticulture sector as also to increase the farmers’ income. It gives methodology for preparing reliable estimates of horticulture crops.
- The income of farmers will increase by growing selected crops in the high suitable areas identified under CHAMAN in the current Jhum /waste lands.
- Besides this, the Post-Harvest damages of farmers would be significantly reduced by creation of desired Post Harvest Infrastructures like cold storages etc. thereby increasing their income.
- In addition the Geo-Spatial Studies like crop intensification, orchard rejuvenation and aqua-horticulture would further help the farmers’ to grow their horticultural crops in a profitable manner which will help doubling their income.
Some Facts:
- Horticulture sector is one of the major drivers of growth in Agriculture sector.
- This sector provides nutrient rich crops to the people and better remunerative prices to the farmers thereby augmenting their income.
- It also provides higher employment opportunities in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.
- Thus it has gained significant prominence in the recent years.
- It is a matter of pride that India is the Second largest producer of Vegetables and Fruits in the world and is First in the production of Banana, Mango, Lime and Lemon, Papaya and Okra.
Source:PIB