Kutch horticulturists to be able to apply for three new schemes

Kutch: For the financial year 2026-27, the Horticulture Department has implemented three new schemes for the farmers of Kutch district. Farmers wishing to avail the benefit of the schemes can apply online on the i-Khedut Portal (2.0).

The first scheme is for obtaining quality production through field cover in fruit crops. Taking an expenditure of ₹5,00,000 for a unit of 1.00 hectare area into account, assistance will be provided at 40% of the cost or a maximum of ₹2,00,000 per hectare. The unit must be developed in an area of more than 0.20 hectare and a maximum of 1.00 hectare. Assistance will be given on a pro-rata basis.

The second scheme is to increase the plantation area of fruit crops through a multi-tier method. In this program, more than one fruit crop must be planted using an intensive farming method. Assistance will be provided based on the number of planted saplings, out of the lower of the cost per plant, graft, or tissue culture sapling as fixed per crop cycle and the actual expenditure incurred.

The third scheme is to encourage rhizomatic (ginger, turmeric) crops. The unit cost is ₹1 lakh per hectare. In this, ₹60,000 for planting material (seeds) and ₹20,000 for labor and other expenses will be considered. Farmers of scheduled castes will receive assistance of 75% of the cost or a maximum of ₹75,000 per hectare.

Applications for all three components must be submitted on the i-Khedut Portal (2.0) by 30/10/2026. Farmers are advised to apply according to the user manual provided in the portal. For more information, contact in person at the Office of the Deputy Director of Horticulture, Room No: 320, 2nd Floor, Bahumali Bhavan, Bhuj, Dist. Kutch, or via phone No: 02832-222713, stated the Deputy Director of Horticulture, Bhuj, Dist. Kutch.