ApnaBundelkhand.com, Lucknow/New Delhi:To augment rural incomes and increase horticulture production in Bundelkhand, the Uttar Pradesh government has prepared a blueprint for boosting horticulture activities in the impoverished region.

The government has prepared an elaborate action plan entailing investment of Rs 117 crore in the next fiscal.

The proposed fund would be utilised for enhancing seed production, packing and grading of horticulture crops. The plan comprises 18 schemes with different funding pattern for the private parties.

"We have already sent the plan for approval to the Centre under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM)," State Horticulture and Food Processing Principal Secretary Sri Krishna told Business Standard.

Bundelkhand, which spans across UP and Madhya Pradesh, is characterized by poverty, unemployment, drought and low industrial base.

"The soil of Bundelkhand is suitable for horticulture and we plan to increase the production in the region," he added.

Besides, the Centre had also given a special grant of Rs 3,500 crore for the composite development of the Bundelkhand region in UP.

At present, NHM projects have been implemented in only 45 of 71 districts in UP. They cover about 350 blocks of the total 820 blocks in the state.

"We have urged the Centre to launch NHM in all the districts, which would double the central grant for horticulture in UP," Krishna added.

Commenting on the lukewarm response by investors for UP food processing industry, he noted there were several reasons for it, including that the food processing industry was seasonal in nature.