Mandarin Orange to be focus area for Nagpur under ODOFP

 

 

 

The pattern of cultivation is about to witness a change in days to come in Maharashtra in general and Vidarbha region in particular. For, Union Ministry of Agriculture has approved a list of agricultural and allied sector products for various districts under the ambitious initiative ‘One District One Focus Produce’ (ODOFP). Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, Government of India, has issued a letter in this regard to Chief Secretaries of all the States in the country regarding ODOFP urging the States to plan for implementation of the initiative.

 

As per the letter, “The identified products need to be promoted in a cluster approach through convergence of the Government of India schemes, to increase the value of the products and with the ultimate aim of increasing the income of the farmers.” The list of products has been finalised after taking inputs from the States and deliberations between Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries. As per the list, for Nagpur and Amravati districts in Vidarbha region, Mandarin Orange has been identified as the product under ODOFP. Orange cultivation is widespread in Katol, Narkhed, Kalmeshwar, and some other parts of Nagpur district as well as Warud, Morshi and other parts of Amravati districts.

 

Nagpur Mandarin is a specific variety of orange crop, deriving its name from Nagpur district. In case of Yavatmal and Wardha districts of the region, Spices have been identified as agricultural products under ODOFP. Yavatmal district has earned the dubious distinction over farmers’ suicides over the years. Still, in some parts, chilli is cultivated. Parts of Wardha are known for turmeric. As expected, Paddy has been identified as focus crop for Chandrapur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts. Bengal Gram (Chickpea) is the identified crop for Akola and Washim districts. For Buldhana, Guava has been included as focus produce. In case of Gadchiroli district, minor forest produces including Mahua, honey, Hirda, Behda etc have been included in ODOFP.

 

The list of products identified under ODOFP will be supported under Prime Minister-Formalisation of Micro food-processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme. The PM-FME scheme provides incentives to promoter and micro-enterprises. No separate funding will be required for ODOFP implementation as Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers’ Welfare will support the initiative from its ongoing Centrally-sponsored schemes. These ongoing schemes include Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana etc. Interestingly, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has urged the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for similar convergence.