(a) whether the Government has planned or is planning to promote farming of exotic fruits like kiwis, red grapes, passion fruits and dragon fruits in the country itself, so as to reduce dependence on imports, help correct trade deficits and promote export of these fruits from India; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b) : Yes, Government is promoting exotic fruits like Kiwis, Grapes including Red Grapes and Passion fruits through Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in the states by providing assistance for production of planting material, area expansion, rejuvenation/replacement of Senile Plantation, Canopy Management, Human Resource Development (HRD), Promotion of Integrated Nutrient Management & Integrated Pest Management, Creation of Infrastructure for Post Harvest Management and market infrastructures to reduce dependence on imports, to correct trade deficits and to promote export of these fruits from India. The cost norms and pattern of assistance is given in Annexure- I.
2. The details of area and production for these fruits are given in Annexure-II. However, fruits like Dragon fruit is also being promoted with the assistance from Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna based on specific project submitted by State Governments.