Malda, West Bengal: ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (CISH), Malda, operating under the jurisdiction of ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Kolkata, in collaboration with the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, successfully organised a District-Level Awareness Programme on NHB Financial Assistance Schemes. The programme witnessed the participation of more than 130 stakeholders, including farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), entrepreneurs, bankers, scientists and government officials.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapoor, IAS, District Magistrate, Malda, who emphasized the vital role of horticulture in improving farmers' income. He encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of NHB's financial assistance schemes to establish modern horticultural enterprises and strengthen the district's agricultural economy.

Senior officials from NHB, NABARD, APEDA, the District Administration, financial institutions and various line departments also attended the programme, highlighting the importance of institutional collaboration for horticultural development.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR–ATARI Kolkata, stated that horticulture-led growth should be supported by quality planting materials, strong institutional convergence and easier access to financial assistance. He noted that initiatives such as the Clean Plant Programme and Cluster Development Programme (CDP) are expected to strengthen horticultural value chains, improve farmers' competitiveness and generate sustainable rural enterprises. He reaffirmed the commitment of ICAR–ATARI Kolkata and the KVKs of Zone-V towards technology-driven, market-oriented and climate-resilient horticultural development in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

A major highlight of the programme was the announcement of the approval of a Mega Clean Plant Centre at the Regional Research Station of ICAR–CISH, Malda, under NHB's Clean Plant Programme. The centre is among only nine facilities approved across India and will produce high-quality, disease-free planting materials, providing a significant boost to horticulture in eastern India.

Participants were also informed that Malda has been identified as a potential horticulture cluster under NHB's Cluster Development Programme. The initiative is expected to facilitate financial assistance for integrated interventions in production, post-harvest management, value addition, logistics, branding and market linkages, thereby enhancing the district's horticultural value chain.

During the technical session, Dr. Tapan Kumar Giri, Deputy Director, NHB, explained the eligibility criteria, application process and financial assistance available under various NHB schemes. He encouraged Farmer Producer Organisations, private companies and eligible agencies to actively participate in the Cluster Development Programme.

To encourage sustainable vegetable cultivation, improved vegetable seed kits covering seven vegetable crops were distributed to selected farmers from English Bazar, Gazole, Habibpur and Kaliachak blocks. Beneficiaries also received biofertilizers for sustainable nutrient management, along with 10 foot-operated sprayers and 15 knapsack sprayers to promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and improve crop productivity.

The awareness programme reaffirmed the commitment of NHB and ICAR–CISH, KVK Malda, towards accelerating horticultural development through technology dissemination, institutional convergence, financial support and entrepreneurship promotion. The initiative is expected to strengthen the horticulture sector and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers across Malda district.

Source: ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Kolkata.