The global production in 2012 was 9 lakh metric million tonnes and India imported 3.5 metric million tonnes annually. This is largely second or third quality varieties, says Mr. Nizammudin. The best quality is sourced by Europe. Despite the fact that India imports a third of global produce, there is no incentive for local producers, since date palm has not been recognised in the list of horticultural crops for subsidies, says Mr. Nizammudin. In Tamil Nadu, there are 2,000 acres under date palms and the largest producers are Tirunelveli, Dindigal, Udhagamandalam, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. Yet, the crop has still not been included in the list of horticultural crops. Date palm should be included in the list of horticulture crops of the government. With it high scale of finance, recognition under horticulture would fetch the farmers benefits of subsidy, says S. Nizammudin. While no other crop provides an increased yield with every passing year like the date palm, the cost of cultivation is also equally high.
The scale of finance per acre is Rs. 3 lakh. The plant is expensive and the farmers could do well with government subsidy, says Mr. Nizammudin. Equally, farmers need to be incentivised since no other crop provides with an increased yield with age. A date palm tree lives for 100 years and gets better with age.
