Govt Is Offering A 50-70% Subsidy for Planting Orchards; Details Inside

To let the people, know about horticulture, awareness camps are to be organized at different villages and blocks in the district till 30th June 2023. These awareness camps are to be set up with a motive to provide detailed information about planting orchards, maximizing the vegetable cultivation area, and Mukhyamantri Bagwani Bina Yojna.

Dr. Prem Kumar (District Horticulture Officer) said that fruit trees like date, plum, and pomegranate, can be planted during the rainy season as per the climate of the district. He also added to his statement that the government will be offering a 50-70 percent grant in order to expand the area of new gardens per acre. This subsidy will be given for three years according to the fruit-bearing plants. 

What are the points to keep in mind while planting orchards?

In a conversation with District Horticulture Officer Dr. Prem Kumar, he said that farmers should choose fertile land with loamy soil and deep drainage to plant orchards. No hard soil should be there for up to two meters in depth. To plant fruit trees, take a sample of the soil to a depth of 2 meters. It is important for fruit plants because the nutrient content of the soil below the surface is necessary. Hence, it becomes important to test the soil before plantation. 

He additionally added to his conversation that collects soil samples from different depths such as 15 cm, 35 cm, 50 cm, 90 cm, and 120-130 cm, and gets them tested. While collecting the sample, you must note the thickness and depth of the pebble layer and keep it separate. Each sample should be stored separately in clean both bags. 

The soil testing can be done at the Mahendragarh Soil Testing Laboratory of Krishi Vigyan Kendra or at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University’s soil department.

• Planting Time – Keeping in mind the climate of the district, January, February, August, and October are considered the best time for plantation. So, these months can be the best-suited time for planting.

• Water Testing – In the district, well water is used for irrigation due to a shortage of canal water. So, you need to fill 1 liter of water after running the motor of the well and send it for testing. 

• Digging Pits – Prepare the land properly before plantation. You may use tractor-drawn diggers for digging pits. It helps you dig for around three feet long and three feet wide. 

• Choosing Plants – Go to a nursery and choose disease-free and good plants. The plants shouldn’t be more than 2 years old. Additionally, it should be medium in growth and height.