Karnataka > Horticulture in Karnataka
Karnataka is a pioneer a State in horticultural development in the Country. Raibag (Bag!) in Belgaum District was famous for its orchards in historical times. Hukeri supplied flowers to Adilshahi Court. Lalbagh was raised at Bangalore by Haider Ali. As early as during the 7th century we hear of a guild of florists (Malekaras) at Badami. Agro-climatic conditions are favourable in the State for taking up of horticultural development activities. As a result, an increasing trend in recent years both in respect of area as also in the production is being witnessed. The department of horticulture provides equipments and technical guidance and supplies plant protection chemicals and improved varieties of seeds and imparts training to the persons engaged in horticultural activities.
It is estimated that about 11.5 per cent of the total net cultivable area is occupied by horticultural crops. The importance of horticultural crops is recognised in dry land development, for developing green belts, in protecting the eco-system and improving the environmental conditions. Farmers are switching over to horticultural crops as they involve less labour and also withstand drought conditions.
The Oil Palm project is being planned for implementation in five command areas. Priority has been given for drip irrigation. The department is maintaining 398 horticultural farms and nurseries spread all over the State covering an area of 7,076 ha. These farms and nurseries are serving as centres for demonstration of improved practices and propagation. The Horticultural Producer's Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society Ltd (HOPCOMS) were established in 1959 for organised marketing of fruits and vegetables in the co-operative sector. There are 15 district level co-operative societies and 25 commodity societies with a membership of 9,800 handling 100 tonnes of horticultural produce per day.
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