Govt to launch scheme to boost poly houses

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 21

With the ambitious Poly House and Micro Irrigation Yojana failing to attract farmers, the state government has decided to launch “Mukhyamantri Green House Revolution Scheme” to boost poly houses.

The poly house scheme aimed at generating self employment in rural areas did not attract farmers due to small size of poly houses and lack of resources for maintenance. Under the new scheme, the size of the poly house has been increased from 2,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm for availing 85 per cent subsidy. At least 50 per cent subsidy would be given to replace poly-sheets after five years of setting up or in case of damage due to natural calamity.

The poly houses can be constructed by non-empanelled suppliers; provided the technical specifications are fulfilled. The government had set a target of setting up 4,700 poly houses and 2,150 drip irrigation or sprinkler units by the end of 2017-18 with subsidy component of Rs 111.19 crore. About 8.35 lakh hectares was to be brought under poly house farming and 8.20 lakh hectares under micro irrigation. But the targets achieved have been low.

Nearly 15 lakh tonne vegetables are produced in the state. The poly house scheme was launched to give boost to “off season” vegetable cultivation under “Production of Vegetables under Protected Cultivation” which increased the yield three to four times.

The government is also providing 50 per cent subsidy on purchase of low/medium lift/ machinery for construction of lift irrigation systems and installation of borewells by individuals or group of farmers.

In order to provide irrigation facility, the state government launched “Rajiv Gandhi Micro- Irrigation Scheme” with an outlay of Rs 154 crore over a period of four years. Through this project, 8,500 hectares would be brought under drip or sprinkler irrigation. It would benefit 14,000 farmers.

Fresh incentives 

• The poly house scheme aimed at generating  self employment in rural areas did not attract farmers due to small size of poly houses and lack of resources
• Under the new scheme, the size of the poly house has been increased from 2,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm for      availing 85 per cent subsidy
• At least 50 per cent subsidy would be given to replace poly-sheets after five years of setting up or in case of damage due to natural calamity
• The poly house scheme was launched to give boost to “off season” vegetable cultivation