Tuberose cultivation is picking up in Tiruchi district — thanks to the promotion by Horticulture Department by giving subsidies. At present, the crop has been raised on 125 hectares of land in the district. Horticulture department has been giving a subsidy of Rs. 37,500 an hectare for meeting cultivation expenses. Apart from this, subsidy was given for putting shade net and drip irrigation.
S. Sadasivam of Thimmanayakkanpudur in Thottiyam block has raised tuberose on 1,000 sq mt. area under shade net. The plants are four months old and started flowering. He plans to harvest 5 to 10 kg of flowers a day when the crop is in full bloom.
Price varies from Rs. 50 to Rs. 400 a kg depending upon the season. Tuberose was mainly used for making garlands.
“Horticulture Department gave me a subsidy of Rs. 37,500. Total cost of cultivation came to around Rs. 75,000. The department has given Rs. 3 lakh for putting up shade net,” said Mr. Sadasivam. Tuberose cultivation had been taken up by farmers in Thuraiyur, Uppiliapuram, parts of Manapparai, Vaiyampatti, Lalgudi, and Musiri, said P. Ravichandran, Assistant Director of Horticulture.
Jasmine and Ixora are cultivated in the district on 500 hectares of land. For Ixora, a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 a hectare was given, said Mr. Ravichandran.
To encourage farmers who cultivate flowers, flower seeds, grafted plants, and saplings were given on 50 per cent subsidy.
To promote organic farming, 50 per cent back end subsidy was given to farmers who produce vermin compost.
Fifty per cent back end subsidy was given for farmers who put shade nets and green houses.
