(a) Whether the Government has taken special measures to promote betel farming in Bundelkhand;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of expansion of betel farming in the country including Bundelkhand during the last five years, State-wise?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): The development programmes for promotion of betelvine are being implemented by Central as well as State Governments, especially in the areas where the betelvine cultivation is predominant.
The Govt. of Uttar Pradesh is implementing a special scheme to promote betelvine cultivation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)- Raftar in Bundelkhand area. Under this Scheme, 50 % assistance (Rs. 50453/- for 1000 sqm) is provided for establishment of Baroj (Pandal) for betelvine cultivation.
The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Calicut, under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare provides support through Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to State Agricultural Universities and Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institutes to produce good quality nucleus planting materials of betelvine. Two high-tech planting material production structures at Regional Research Station, Belatal, Mahoba district & Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lalitpur district (under Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh) are being promoted to cater the planting material needs of betel vine farmers.
(c): The details of expansion of area under betel farming in the major producing States during the last five years are given at Annexure-l.