Pomegranate farmers in Maharashtra, who have been suffering losses due to a bad crop this season, now have some relief in the form of Rs 1,000 crore package announced by the centre.
Of the total package, farmers in the state are eligible to receive Rs 900 crore.
Under the 2008-09 package, a sum of Rs 50,000 per hectare will be given to farmers in the form of a grant. ?The state accounts for over 90% of pomegranate production in the country. At least 1.10 lakh pomegranate farmers in the state will be eligible for this package,? Prabhakar Chandane, president, Pomegranate Growers Association of India, said.
?Pomegranate production has been suffering for the last couple of years because of the oily spot disease. The centre had announced a similar package in 2006-07, of which Rs 39 crore had come to Maharashtra. This year, it has been increased to Rs 900 crore for Maharashtra,? he said.
On an average, around eight tonne are produced for every hectare.
The states that are included in the package are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. “Disbursements have already begun.
Once the farmer produces receipts related to purchases made for sowing, he can submit these before the agriculture officer at the taluka level.
The centre will then pay 50% of the grant of Rs 50,000 per hectare and the state government will pay 25%, he said.