Need to include Chikkballapur district in Karnataka under Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Mission -Laid

Need to include Chikkballapur district in Karnataka under Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Mission-Laid DR. K. SUDHAKAR (CHIKKBALLAPUR): I would like to draw the attention of the Government towards the immense potential of Chikkballapur district in Karnataka for establishing a horticulture cluster. Chikkballapur possesses favourable agro-climatic conditions and is well known for the cultivation of horticultural crops such as mango, grapes, and tomato. A large number of farmers in the district depend on horticulture for their livelihood. However, inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, fragmented value chains, limited cold storage facilities, lack of grading and packaging centres, and weak market linkages continue to reduce farmers' income and result in significant post-harvest losses. The Cluster Development Programme (CDP) under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) provides a suitable framework for developing region-specific horticulture clusters through value chain development and market integration. I therefore, request the Union Government to consider including Chikkballapur district under the Cluster Development Programme of MIDH so that its horticultural potential can be fully realised, post-harvest losses are reduced, and farmers receive better remunerative returns.