Fruit Plants, Oil Seed, Pulses, and Fodder

The agricultural sector is indispensable to the country’s economic growth, food security, employment generation, and poverty alleviation particularly, at the rural level. contributes 19.2 percent to the GDP and employs around 38.5 percent of the labor force. More than 6570 percent of the population depends on agriculture for its livelihood. Horticultural crops have significant potential in vertical as well as horizontal expansion along with enhanced employment opportunities for the rural poor population including women, the force working in the field for their livelihood. It contributes to poverty alleviation, nutritional security and has ample scope for farmers to increase their income, and helps to sustain a large number of agro-based industries which generate huge employment opportunities.

The fruits which can be grown successfully and included in this project are Olives, Citrus, Peaches, Grapes, Mango, Loquat, etc. Change in cropping patterns through high-value crops like the establishment of fruit orchards will be done through motivation, training, and financial assistance to the farmers. On potential sites, a minimum of 1 acre of orchard would be established at each beneficiary farmer. The inputs would be provided by the Extension Department. The subsidy would be provided after verification of the successful establishment of an orchard in the field.

Oilseed crops are extremely vital for domestic oil production. Edible oil, extracted from oilseed crops has 2.5 times more energy than protein and carbohydrates. Edible oil from oil seed crops, being rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamin D and E, having zero cholesterol and higher percentages of mono and polyunsaturated fats, are rightly preferred over ghee from an animal source. Pulses are part of a healthy, balanced diet and are a low-fat source of protein, with high fiber content and low glycemic index. Pulses provide important amounts of vitamins and minerals. Some of the key minerals in pulses include iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Pulses are also particularly abundant in B vitamins; including folate, thiamin, and niacin.