Distribution of Horticulture Kit to Urban and Rural Areas

Description
The scheme “Distribution of Horticulture Kit to Urban and Rural Areas" was launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, Union Territory of Puducherry. Through this scheme, all the horticulture growers in rural & urban areas are provided with a horticulture kit worth ₹ 3,000 per kit to urban and rural areas, during Aadipattam/Thaipattam, through the Additional Director of Agriculture Horticulture .

Benefits
• 75% subsidy, i.e. distribution of horticulture kit worth ₹ 3,000 per kit to urban and rural areas (homestead/backyards), through the Additional Director of Agriculture (Horticulture), during Aadipattam/Thaipattam seasonality.

Eligibility Criteria
1. All horticulture growers of rural & urban areas are eligible.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the Uzhavar Udhaviyagam (Farmers' Help Centres) or the Office of the Additional Director of Agriculture (Horticulture) and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the ap…
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Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the Uzhavar Udhaviyagam (Farmers' Help Centres) or the Office of the Additional Director of Agriculture (Horticulture) and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the Agricultural Officer.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form and the documents to the concerned authority.
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Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form and the documents to the concerned authority.

Step 4: Step 4: On receipt of the application, necessary entries will be made in the application receipt register and a unique number is assigned to the applicant for identifying each applicant which shall be used for all further references and also as ac…
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Step 4: On receipt of the application, necessary entries will be made in the application receipt register and a unique number is assigned to the applicant for identifying each applicant which shall be used for all further references and also as acknowledgement for the receipt of the application.

Required Documents
• In the case of land owners cultivating their land, a copy of the farmer identity card containing the details of survey numbers and the extent of land holding needs to be submitted along with the application form.
• If no identity card is issued to the farmer to date a copy of the land document (sale deed/ partition deed/ gift deed or will) needs to be submitted.
• The tenants cultivating lands owned by religious Institutions/Wakfs/Mutts/Trusts/ Municipalities shall produce a letter of consent from the authority of the institutions concerned as prescribed by the Department.
• Further, tenants shall produce a cultivation certificate from the land owner or Agriculture Department / Revenue Department who carried out joint verification for the purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can beneficiaries verify scheme information on the Department's Portal?
A: Yes, the provisional list is hosted on the Department's portal (https://agri.py.gov.in/) for public scrutiny, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

Q: How is the subsidy disbursed to beneficiaries?
A: The eligible subsidy is released through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode after obtaining expenditure sanction as per established norms.

Q: Who approves the final list of beneficiaries in the scheme?
A: The Director of Agriculture and the Secretary to Government (Agriculture) jointly approve the final list of beneficiaries.

Q: What is the social auditing process for the provisional list of beneficiaries?
A: The provisional list is displayed in the Horticultural wing and on the Department's portal for public scrutiny, allowing a 10-day objection period.

Q: How are field inspections conducted to validate cultivation progress?
A: Agricultural officers (Horticulture) maintain a register for applications and perform periodic field inspections in coordination with Agricultural Officers of Uzhavar Uthaviyagams.

Q: What is the role of tenants in religious institutions in the application process?
A: Tenants must provide a letter of consent from the relevant authority and a cultivation certificate from the landowner or Agriculture/Revenue Department.

Q: What documents are required for landowners to apply for horticulture schemes?
A: Landowners need to submit a farmer identity card or land documents (sale deed/partition deed/gift deed or will) along with the prescribed application form.

Q: How does the Department of Agriculture ensure awareness of scheme application periods?
A: The Department conducts wide publicity for each crop and season, informing potential beneficiaries about application submissions.

Q: How does the scheme ensure financial transparency in subsidy distribution?
A: The subsidy amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary's account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, aligning with established norms for financial transparency.

Q: Are there any specific requirements for tenants participating in the scheme?
A: Tenants need a letter of consent from the relevant authority and a cultivation certificate, ensuring a collaborative verification process with the landowner or Agricultural/Revenue Department.

Q: What is the specific time frame for the distribution of horticulture kits?
A: The distribution is carried out during Aadipattam/Thaipattam, aligning with the seasonal needs of horticulture activities.

Q: How is the subsidy amount calculated for the horticulture kits?
A: The subsidy covers 75% of the horticulture kit's value, amounting to [?]3,000 per kit distributed to both urban and rural areas.