Fruit Development Scheme

Description
The scheme ‘Fruit Development Scheme’ was launched by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya to make available to the farmers good quality planting materials in convergence mode and sale at subsidized rates.

Benefits
• > **Pattern of Assistance:**
• Quality planting materials for sale at 50% subsidy and free of cost to the farmers under convergent mode with MGNREGA.
• > **Type of Assistance and Entitlement (If any):**
• **Sl. No.****Entitlement****Owantum of Assistance**1To promote fruit cultivation by making available to farmers good quality planting materials including horticultural tools and implements.(i) 50% subsidy sale to the farmers. (ii) Free sampling of planting materials for convergent mode with MGNREGA.2Citrus rejuvenation programme for the senile orchard by providing planting materials for gap filling and organic-based plant protection measures.100% assistance.3Creeper fruit plants like- Kiwi, Grapes, etc. permanent trellies system are provided but planting and erection are to be done by farmers.75% subsidy assistance is limited to 500 sqm per beneficiary.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant/farmer should be a resident of Meghalaya.
2. The applicant should be a bonafide farmer engaged in Agriculture, possessing own or leased land of at least 0.2 (hectares) or more.
3. **Note:** The applicant farmer can avail of the benefits of the scheme on a first come first serve basis.

Application Process
Step 1: Bonafide farmers on a first come first serve basis.
1. District Horticulture Officer
2. Horticulture Development Officer
Offline

Bonafide farmers on a first come first serve basis.
1. District Horticulture Officer
2. Horticulture Development Officer

Required Documents
• Passport-size photograph
• Identity Proof
• Bank passbook/account details
• Documents proof of possessing own or leased land
• Any other document as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the key objective of the scheme?
A: To make available to the farmers good quality planting materials in convergence mode and sale at subsidised rates.

Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of Meghalaya has launched this scheme.

Q: What is the type of assistance and entitlement?
A: 1. The Scheme assists in providing good quality planting materials including horticultural tools and implements at subsidized rates for promoting fruit cultivation.
2. Providing organic-based plant protection measures for the Citrus rejuvenation programme of senile orchards.
3. To assist farmers by providing a permanent trellis system for creeper fruit plants like Kiwi, Grapes etc, however, planting and erecting trellis are to be done by farmers themselves.
4. Training and capacity building of farmers.

Q: What is the pattern of assistance?
A: I) 50% subsidy sale of planting materials, horticultural tools & implements.
ii) 100% assistance for citrus rejuvenation programme.
iii) 75% assistance limited to 500 sqm per beneficiary for permanent trellis.

Q: Who can apply for the scheme?
A: Bonafide farmers engaged in Agriculture, possessing own or leased land of at least 0.2 (hectares) or more.

Q: How to apply for the scheme?
A: Bonafide farmers can apply in plain paper through the nearest Horticulture Development Officer of a CD Block/ Horticulture Circle.

Q: What is the beneficiaries’ selection procedure?
A: Bonafide farmers on first come first serve basis.

Q: Whom to contact?
A: 1. District Horticulture Officer
2. Horticulture Development Officer