Karnataka Agricultural Policy - Institute for Social and Economic ...

Karnataka Agicultural Policy 2006
sufficient scope to increase the productivity of the above fruit crops by adopting high-tech
horticulture.
11.2 Floriculture in Karnataka has achieved an impressive growth during last decade. Karnataka occupies
the second position in the country both in terms of area and production, next only to Tamil Nadu. In
Karnataka, area under floriculture has grown from 4,000 hectares with 21,000 tonnes of production in
1978-79 to 17,419 hectares (46 % share in the country area) with 1,02,205 tonnes of production by
1995-96. Export of floriculture produce has impressively increased more than 700 tonnes (value Rs. 50
crores) in 2004-05 from just eight tonnes (Rs 15 Lakh) in 1994-95. The current export level of the State
constitutes 7 per cent of the total earnings of the country's floriculture (GoI 1997). Some pioneering
programmes initiated to boost floriculture in Karnataka are: (a) Land ceiling has been raised from 20 to
108 acres for horticultural crops including floriculture; and (b) The industrial policy of Karnataka has
identified floriculture as a thrust sector for making it eligible for high scale of incentives. These
measures have now started yielding positive results. The new economic policy pursued since August
1991 has resulted in the approval of 134 floriculture export units till 31st December 1995 with a total
outlay of Rs.1,091 million in the country. Already 32 units of floriculture have started functioning in
different parts of the country. Most of these projects are based in southern India, particularly in
Bangalore. Many of the Dutch aided floriculture units have entered into agreements and tie-ups with
Indian companies in Bangalore. These trends indicate that Bangalore may emerge as the hub of
floricultural activities in India and the state may possibly emerge as a major floriculture exporting
State.
Area planning for Horticulture Crops is essential as these are largely consumed fresh with only a
small percentage of the output getting processed into various products. The ‘Horticultural Vision’ of
the State to be prepared to provide a complete plan upto taluka level and for each crop during next
year. This will be put on the web site so that farmers are aware of the crops suitable and the optimum
possible area under these crops in their taluka. This will be periodically updated.
The above step will fulfil the need to generate proper cropping pattern in specific areas depending on
the demand for the crop in the local, domestic and other target market. Moreover, it will also preempt
the possibility of unexpected market glut and scarcity created due to improper crop planning.
Horticultural crops need continuous extension support. This could be addressed through Hortnet, the
interactive website that can be operated through the rural kiosks placed at the Raitha Samparka
Kendras.
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