Under the nutritive vegetable garden initiative introduced by chief minister M K Stalin on Monday, the district administration has set a goal of distributing 10,000 terrace garden kits.
For distribution of terrace garden kits, the state has set aside Rs 6.75 crore. In rural regions, the Chief Minister gave kits comprising 12 vegetable seeds for Rs 15 each to encourage people to start vegetable gardens.
The Chief Minister's Vegetable Garden Scheme was started in the district to help women grow fresh vegetables for their families.
H. Krishnanunni, a collector, developed a kit containing six types of vegetable seeds for establishing a terrace garden. Officials from the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops said 2,000 kits worth Rs 13.5 lakh have been sanctioned for the district and will be distributed to recipients. The package costs Rs 900 and will be given away at a discounted price of Rs 225, according to them.
Similarly, 3,800 kits containing 12 types of vegetable seed worth Rs. 1.71 lakh would be sold to people in rural areas, farmers, and agricultural workers who may cultivate it on their terrace. The package costs Rs 60 and is sold to the beneficiaries at a discounted rate of Rs 15.
District Collector S. Karmegham of Salem kicked off the distribution of kits and saplings to the public.
This year, the department hopes to provide the kits to 7,000 people. The public would be given nutritious saplings such as lemon, papaya, drumstick, and other varieties.
Area Under Cultivation in Erode District
The total area under cultivation in Erode district is 1,69,815 acres. Turmeric, Jack, Banana, Mango, Guava, Tapioca, Tomato, Bhendi, Brinjal, and other vegetables have been planted on around 55,030 acres of such land. Banana is one of the three principal fruits farmed in this district (Mukkani-Mango, Jack, and Banana). Turmeric cultivation and market are also well-known in the Erode district. After Nizamabad, Erode has the best turmeric market in India.
