Port Blair, Aug 08: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM today launched the Fruits & Vegetable Mission at Car Nicobar. At a function held at the Tribal Community Hall, Tamaloo, Car Nicobar here this morning, the Lt Governor distributed seed kits to the farmers and planted tree/fruit saplings at the Mission Plot.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor stated that the southern group of Islands particularly Car Nicobar has been experiencing non-availability of fruits and vegetables. Considering this, directions were given to Agriculture department to evolve a plan on the lines of the Coconut Mission at Car Nicobar to increase the production of vegetables and fruits which will improve the nutritional status of the tribal population of Car Nicobar.
Highlighting the importance of vegetable consumption, he stated that there is an urgent need to popularize vegetable and fruit dietary habit among the Nicobari people as vegetables and fruits not only provides energy rich food but also guarantees supply of vital protective nutrients like minerals and vitamins which play an important role in the balanced diet of human being. He expressed happiness that the Nicobari people have started realizing the importance of consuming vegetables and fruits for the maintenance of their normal health.
He further stated that vegetables cultivated in Car Nicobar are far below the recommended per day consumption of the estimated population. The gap between the requirement per day and production of fruits and vegetables can be narrowed down through cultivation of fruits and vegetables in a Mission Mode.
The Vice Chief Captain, Car Nicobar, Shri Chamberlain Paul, Tribal Captains, local head of the departments and people of Car Nicobar were present on the occasion.
The Fruits & Vegetable Mission, Car Nicobar includes establishing demonstration plots on vegetable and fruits cultivation, protected cultivation of vegetable in polyhouse supporting with vegetable and fruit nutritional garden each and every household by distributing kits containing vegetable seeds and fruit saplings, establishment of Demonstration unit of Mushroom in each village and establishment of spawn production unit. The Programme will be implemented by pooling resources from existing schemes of the Department of Agriculture like RKVY, ATMA, dovetailing with MGNREGA. Technical support and participation from the Department of Health Services, Food and Nutrition Department and Department of Education. The goal of the programme is to popularize vegetables and fruits in the dietary habit of local people, to increase the area, production and productivity of vegetables and fruits and ultimately improvement in health of the local population.
Under the newly launched Mission, the cost benefit ratio per Demonstration plot for two year is 1:17, wherein on an expenditure of Rs 3,29,255, the income will be Rs 5,60,000. In the same manner, the cost benefit ratio per fruits demonstration plot for two year is 1:2.35, wherein on an expenditure of Rs 1,40,415, the income will be Rs 3,30,000.
Besides, the Mission also proposed to establish vermi beds in each Tuhet @ Rs 2000 per bed for production of vermi-compost. Use of quality vermi-compost is an important step towards cultivation of vegetables and fruits organically as it contains nutrients in easily available forms in addition to a number of plant growth promoting substances and humic acids. The Fruits and Vegetable Mission also initiate efforts to popularizing and production of Mushroom cultivation for which establishment of one Demonstration unit on Mushroom Production in each village is proposed.
To further promote fruits and vegetable production, the best performing village will be awarded with cash prizes with trophy. A district level vegetable show/fruit show is also proposed to be organised where farmers will be suitably awarded for the exhibits.
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