The Hindu : Cities / Madurai : Stress on increasing horticulture produce

The Department of Horticulture will take up many projects including development of various farms like mango, coco, chillies and pepper in 3,715 acres, at a total estimated cost of Rs.7.48 crore this year, said Collector K. Nagarajan.

He was presiding over the agriculturists' grievances day meeting held here on Friday.

Main aim of these programmes was to increase production of horticulture produces, including vegetables, spices and flowers. These projects will be implemented with the participation of farmers.

Farm equipment will be given to farmers at a subsidized rate, financial assistance for setting up of vermi-compost unit and seeds and saplings at 50 per cent subsidy would also be provided.

Total rain fall received in the district was slightly higher than the average rainfall in November. The district had received 806.51 mm rain against the average rain of 771 mm. Sufficient stock of agriculture inputs and fertilisers were kept ready for distribution. “At present, we have 2,316 tonnes of urea, 223 tonnes of DAP, 72 tonnes of potash and 1,834 tonnes of complex fertilisers. Farmers should check the price printed on the bag before buying it. Officials should identify beneficiaries and take all schemes to farmers quickly”, he advised.

Source: The Hindu : Cities / Madurai : Stress on increasing horticulture produce

Bengal promoting horticulture, food processing in a big way

The Hindu Business Line reports - Targeting the “tremendous potential”, the West Bengal Government is actively promoting the horticulture sector through a central scheme that encourages food processing in the private, public and joint sectors to generate employment.

“Since the agri-horticulture sector in the State holds tremendous potential, there is immense potential for employment generation and growth of self-employment,” the Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Minister, Mr Abu Hena, told PTI.

The central scheme, the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), aims to promote the horticulture sector, covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa.

Read full article: The Hindu Business Line

Explore opportunities in horticulture and farming: Omar

Jammu, Nov 19 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for motivating the youth in the state to seek careers in horticulture and agricultural sectors.

"This would not only help them earn a handsome livelihood but also help in the economic growth of the state considerably," Omar said, while addressing a function after inaugurating Horti-Expo and Divisional Fruit show at Kala Kendra here today.

He also emphasised the need to make these sectors lucrative.

He said the sectors of tourism and handicraft have great potential to provide respectable and profitable self- employment.

He said a state like Jammu and Kashmir, which has a great future in horticulture, agriculture, tourism, handicraft and allied sectors, is confronted with unemployment crisis and called for retrospection, awareness and reformative approach.

"This is an area of concern needing focused attention," he said and asked all the stakeholders, including the government department, to make youth aware of the potential available in these sectors.

Source: news.in.msn.com

Germany's Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection - Horticulture Publications

A few horticulture related publications from Germany's Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).

Link to publication site: http://www.bmelv.de/EN/Services/Publications/publications_node.html

Horticulture in Germany (Flyer)
Date:15.12.10

Facts and Figures: Production in gardening and fruit cultivation (Economic data, structure), Horticultural Services (Garden construction and landscaping)

• download file "Horticulture in Germany (Flyer)" (PDF, 1 MB, not barrier-free)

Nurseries in Germany
Date:15.11.10

A high-performing industry with great export potential.

• download file "Nurseries in Germany" (PDF, 471 KB, not barrier-free)
• Add "Nurseries in Germany"to shopping cart

Ornamental Plants "Made in Germany"
Date:15.11.10

• download file "Ornamental Plants "Made in Germany"" (PDF, 355 KB, not barrier-free)
• Add "Ornamental Plants "Made in Germany""to shopping cart

Campers learn science of gardening at arboretum

By Ashley Boyd Staff Writer

Agroup of middle-school girls is getting their hands dirty this week while learning about gardening. Speakers at the DIRT campMaster gardener Betty Hardee spoke about composting.Libby Uzzell and Jean Henderson spoke about bluebirds and gave the girls tips for making birdhouses. Amanda Espy-Brown, an adjunct geography professor at UA, recently traveled to Africa and will speak today about the role African women play in agriculture in their countries.

Working in conjunction with Bama Dining and New College, the University of Alabama Arboretum is hosting a free, weeklong community service gardening workshop.
Environmentalism and sustainability are the focal points of the camp, which is called Alabama DIRT: Directed Investigations and Research for Teens.

“It’s teaching them about sustainability in terms of using our resources in a way that leaves resources for the next generation. They’re getting hands-on experience at a young age and will hopefully continue to grow plants on their own,” said Mary Jo Modica, horticulturalist for the arboretum. Read more>

India: Detailed study on anvil to develop agriculture, horticulture in Kutch on Israeli model

The government has decided to conduct a detailed study of the entire desert area of Kutch to develop agriculture and horticulture activity on the lines of the Israeli model.

The Agriculture Department will soon direct senior scientists of Junagadh, Dantiwada and Anand Agriculture universities to carry out a comprehensive study of the Kutch desert and submit a report on it.

State Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani announced this in the House on Thursday in response to a plea by BJP legislators from the arid Kutch district during a debate on the budgetary demands of the department.

After the agro-scientists submit their report, the government will make all possible efforts to encourage the maximum sowing of agriculture and horticulture crops and their production in the desert district.

Read more>

Great Plains Sorghum Conference scheduled Aug. 11-12 in Amarillo

AMARILLO – Two days of informative meetings and field tours are planned for the Great Plains Sorghum Conference and Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America, to be held Aug. 11-12 in the Amarillo area.

The meeting will start at 8 a.m. Aug. 11 with presentations at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo. The presentations will be followed by afternoon tours of an ethanol plant, dairy, Advanta and Richardson Seed, said Dr. Brent Bean, Texas AgriLife Extension Service agronomist and coordinator of the event.

Read more:

Farmers to share $2m in prizes

www.trinidadexpress.com
National Agricultural Entrepreneurs' competition
Ariti Jankie South Bureau
Tuesday, June 30th 2009

Farmers are invited to a competition that has twice the prize money of the biggest Carnival competition.

They will share in more than $2 million in cash prizes in this year's National Agricultural Entrepre-neurs' competition.

The prize money has more than doubled from last year when 17 farmers took home close to $1 million.
Ex-workers of Caroni (1975) Ltd can also share, as a special award category has been created for them.

The best two-acre agricultural plot will be judged later this year, giving farmers sufficient time to plant crops.

Read more:

West Virginia Division of Forestry to Celebrate 100 Years

Division of Forestry to begin yearlong centennial celebration July 1.
Story by Sandra Cole

CHARLESTON -- One hundred years ago, West Virginia’s forests had been cleared for agricultural use, over-harvested to meet the needs of society and charred from wildfires. A century later, West Virginia is the second most forested state in the nation with trees covering 80 percent of the land. This successful reforestation is due in large part to the professional foresters of the state’s Division of Forestry (DOF).

The men and women of the DOF work with volunteer fire departments, the forest products industry and federal agencies to protect 12 million acres of forestland from wildfire; they train, license and regulate the state’s professional loggers to assure good water quality for West Virginia residents; and they assist landowners with proper management of the state’s privately-owned forests thereby guaranteeing healthy forest for future generations.

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German students look at British horticulture

5:36pm Monday 22nd June 2009

Twentythree students from State College of Agriculture, Furth, Germany have been in Cornwall as part of a Horticulture and Agriculture tour of the United Kingdom.

The students who all came from areas around Furth and Batvia are sons and daughters of farmers and growers much like the UK’s Young Farmers Club. They had a range of interests from glasshouse growing to vegetable production. The Students visited Cambridge before coming to Cornwall where they visited tourist’s attractions such as the Eden Project and then spent 2 days touring farms and visiting the College. The Students next stop will be Tresco before returning to Germany.

Bill Herring, curriculum manager for horticulture said: “Duchy College are very proud to host the German Young Farmers Club’s Cornish visit. It was great for us to share farming practises and build oversees relationships.”

Anyone interested in finding out about our Horticulture or Agriculture courses contact Duchy College on 01209 721321.

Commissioner Announces $900,000 for New York Specialty Crops

Grants for Fruit, Vegetable, Maple, Honey & Horticulture Producers

ALBANY, NY (06/18/2009)(readMedia)-- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the availability of $900,000 in grants to enhance the competitiveness of New York's specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded through the 2008 federal Farm Bill to assist New York's specialty crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, maple, honey and horticulture crops.

"Specialty crops are incredibly valuable to the State's economy, environment and quality of life. The fruit and vegetable sector is especially important to maintain good health and other sectors help keep New York green," the Commissioner said. "We need to ensure that this industry remains viable and competitive, and these grants will provide an exceptional funding resource to explore new programs, technologies or other innovative approaches to advance this important sector of the State's agricultural industry."

This special allotment of funding in the Farm Bill will provide a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $200,000 for projects that enhance the competitiveness of New York's specialty crops. Eligible projects should address at least one of the following funding categories that were identified by the industry. They are: "buy local" packaging and labeling; distribution; education and outreach; environmental quality and conservation; food safety; food security; marketing and promotion; nutrition; plant health, pest and productivity challenges; product development; and international trade enhancement.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will be awarded on a competitive basis and does not require matching funds. The program is open to all non-profits, for-profits, government entities, educational institutions and individuals. Applications can be downloaded at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/slide/SpecialtyCrop.html and must be received at the Department no later than July 17, 2009.

Specialty crops are generally defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture), herbs and spices. A detailed list of commonly recognized specialty crops is provided at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp.

New York State produces a wide range of specialty crops that include fruits and vegetables, wine, maple syrup, horticulture and nursery crops. Specialty crops generate $1.34 billion annually in New York and make up one-third of the State's total agricultural receipts. They also rank high nationally in both production and economic value. For example, New York is the second largest state in the nation for apples, cabbage and maple syrup; third for grapes and cauliflower; and fourth for tart cherries, pear, snap beans and sweet corn.

News from New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
For more information contact: Jessica Chittenden, 518-457-3136

What Makes Plants Grow

By Alexis Madrigal

To understand why fertilizer works, we need to get some basic plant biology out of the way. Plants need large amounts of three nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Combine those with water and sunlight and plants will grow.

In a natural ecosystem, nutrients are naturally cycled. Plants grow, using these substances, then they die. Microbes decompose them and new plants use the same nutrients to grow again. You know, the whole circle of life thing.

Agriculture gives us civilization exactly because it disrupts this balance. Humans use plants to mine nutrients out of the soil and then eat them. We can even measure the amount of nutrients that a crop can mine for us. For example, a hectare of maize in the US needs about 22 kilograms pounds of nitrogen per tonne of yield. We call this the plant’s mineral uptake. Problem is, the corn on the cob you’re eating is full of the nutrients that the next generation of plants would have used. We’ve taken nutrients out of the cycle, so we’ve got to replace them or the soil will be depleted.

Read more:
What Makes Plants Grow

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