K'taka lags in horticulture mission project

Karnataka is unlikely to get any more funds this year under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) as the Union agriculture ministry is upset over the way projects under it have been implemented in the state over the last two years.

The Centre had sanctioned the NHM project for Karnataka in 2005 and subsequently released Rs 133 crore to implement the project.

According to sources, the Karnataka government has utilised only about 50 per cent of this.

Two consultants "" Firoz M Poonawala and Jagtap ""deputed by the agriculture ministry to review the implementation of NHM projects in the state, are critical of the state's record.

They have pointed to the non-involvement of non-governmental organisations, improper method in setting up polyhouses, loopholes in carrying out propagation programmes to produce grafts and seedlings, and improper training to farmers.