News Desk. An important initiative has been started by the Horticulture Department for the farmers of Hardoi district. Free seeds will be distributed to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Tribe (ST) category farmers with the aim of promoting vegetable farming. Under this scheme, advanced cultivation of vegetables is to be done on a total of 27 hectares of land in the district.

Which crops will be cultivated?

District Horticulture Officer Subhash Chandra said that the following crops will be cultivated under the Horticulture Development (State Sector) SCP Scheme. Hybrid tomato in 10 hectares, hybrid capsicum in 2 hectares, bottle gourd in 4 hectares, hybrid bitter gourd in 3 hectares. The seeds required for all these crops are available with the department and will be given to the eligible farmers without any fee.

Who can avail the benefits?

The benefit of this scheme will be available only to those farmers who have already registered on the departmental portal dbt.uphorticulture.in. The process of seed distribution will be done on “first come, first served” basis. Therefore, already registered farmers have been advised to contact the department as soon as possible.

Whom to contact?

To get seeds, farmers can contact District Assistant Horticulture Inspector Ajay Kumar Verma, in-charge of their area. The department will provide seeds to the farmers as per the prescribed crops so that the target of 27 hectares can be successfully achieved.

Vegetable seedlings also available from hi-tech nursery

Apart from free seed distribution, ready-made vegetable seedlings are also available in the hi-tech nursery of the Horticulture Department. Farmers can get seedlings of tomato, capsicum and other seasonal vegetables from here at the rate of Rs 2 to 2.70 per plant by paying cash from the office.

Documents required to buy seeds

Farmers will have to carry the following documents while purchasing seeds or saplings. Aadhar Card, Khatauni, Bank Passbook, Color Passport Size Photo. Materials will be made available to the farmers only after verification of these documents.