Mayurbhanj: Horticulture’s new dimension makes Tribal self sufficient

By Janakiballav Dash:  The ongoing horticulture activities have been boosted in tribal Mayurbhanj district with the formation of Mayurbhanj Fruit & Vegetable Farmers Producers Company Ltd.

This would give new dimension in the many ongoing horticulture development work here as the district enter into a hub of new fruit & vegetable production with extensive diversification of vegetable and fruits. Earlier the district was boasted of having plenty of paddy and Sabai since years giving diversification in many fruits and vegetables schemes all over.

The company formed in November 2015 under the aegis of horticulture department. Collector Shri Rajesh Pravakar Patil will act as Chairperson of the company while Deputy Director, horticulture Shri Dharanidhar Patra would act as its ex-officio Secretary.

Giving details about its activities Shri Patra told that presently around 200vegetable and fruit producers formed its primary membership out of which a governing body would soon constituted and it would start working from the annexed building of DDH office complex.

Already an agri-business and MBA professional has been put on job to give it a final shape. Apart from it, a 10 acre land has been earmarked to DDH from the Shamakhunta Agro Firm to be developed as a Centre for Excellence said Shri Patra.

Its primary job would be intensification of vegetable and fruits production with technical and managerial inputs, preservation of huge fruits & vegetables and its marketing to give producers a boost.

There is a rise of around 47% in the productivity of vegetable and fruits in the district amongst the traditional paddy and Sabai farmers.  The ongoing job of the company would take this new high said Shri Patra.

Cash fruits & vegetables have demand allover & it would give a good return to cultivators with immediate effect apart from paddy and Sabai. The district has been notably producing many cash fruits like pomegranate, oilpalm, cashew, lemongrass to name a few over last few years whose wise returns have propelled many to take up such activities as a result vast acres of vacant lands are found to be used under such horticulture programme which earlier lying vacant except in few months. Kudos to horticulture department!