The Kerala budget allots Rs 535.9 Cr for crop management and Rs 227.4 Cr for the development of agri-infrastructure

The budget for Kerala allots Rs 227.4 crore for the development of agricultural infrastructure, which includes money for the production of vegetables, coconuts, and spices. A project involving paddy farming receives Rs 150 crore

The budget has set aside Rs 227.4 crore for the construction of fundamental infrastructure in the agriculture sector, with an additional Rs 115.5 crore designated for central support. According to the Minister, Kerala’s agriculture industry has grown steadily during the last three years. While Rs 73 crore has been set aside for the promotion of coconut cultivation, Rs 78.45 crore has been set aside for the Comprehensive Vegetable Cultivation Project. The Spices Cultivation Development Project now has Rs 7.6 crore instead of Rs 4.6 crore in funding.

For crop management, Rs 535.9 crore has been set aside. The upcoming fiscal year will see the implementation of a comprehensive paddy cultivation project, for which Rs 150 crore has been set aside through the integration of multiple initiatives. This includes Rs 80 crore set aside for royalties, Rs 3,000 per hectare for field protection for rice field owners, and Rs 5,500 per hectare for support of sustainable paddy farming inputs.

Rs 21 crore has been given aside for new initiatives out of the Rs 43 crore allotted for the growth of agricultural universities. With Rs 30 crore set aside for this purpose, the Minister also unveiled a new plan to position Kerala as a hub for high-value horticulture.

The budget for Kerala allots Rs 227.4