Launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Union Territory of Puducherry, this scheme provides horticulture growers in both rural and urban areas with a vegetable seeds minikit & fruits minikit worth ₹250/- entirely free of cost. The initiative is aimed at establishing nutritional gardens to promote healthy living and sustainable agriculture.
Benefits
• 100% Subsidy: Distribution of the minikits completely free of cost through Uzhavar Udhaviyagam (Farmers’ Help Centres) and the Office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture (Horticulture)
• Seasonality: Kits are distributed during Aadipattam/Thaipattam to align with planting cycles
Eligibility
• All horticulture growers in rural and urban areas are eligible
Application Process
Offline
• Step 01: Visit the Uzhavar Udhaviyagam (Farmers’ Help Centres) or the office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture (Horticulture) during office hours and request the hard copy of the application form
• Step 02: Fill in all mandatory fields on the form, attach a passport-sized photograph (signed if required), and include copies of all mandatory documents (self-attested as needed)
• Step 03: Submit the completed application form and documents to the concerned authority
• Step 04: On receipt, the application is recorded in the receipt register and a unique identification number is assigned for future reference
Documents Required
• For landowners:
– Copy of the farmer identity card (with survey numbers and land holding details) or, if unavailable, a copy of the land document (sale deed, partition deed, gift deed, or will)
• For tenants:
– A letter of consent from the authority of the religious institution/Wakf/Mutts/Trusts/Municipalities (as per departmental prescription)
– A cultivation certificate from the landowner or from the Agriculture/Revenue Department after joint verification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the significance of seasonality in the scheme?
A: Kits are distributed during Aadipattam/Thaipattam to align with the natural planting cycles for establishing nutritional gardens.
Q: What documentation is needed for tenants cultivating lands owned by religious institutions?
A: Tenants must provide a letter of consent from the institution and a cultivation certificate from the landowner or the relevant department.
Q: What documents are required if no identity card is issued to the farmer?
A: In such cases, a copy of the land document (sale deed, partition deed, gift deed, or will) must be submitted.
Q: What documents are mandatory for landowners?
A: Landowners must submit a farmer identity card containing survey numbers and land holding details, or alternatively, the appropriate land document if no identity card is available.
Q: What role do Agricultural Officers (Horticulture) play in the scheme?
A: They assist in distributing the kits, verify applications through field inspections, and ensure the final list of beneficiaries is accurately maintained.
Q: Who is eligible to benefit from the scheme?
A: All horticulture growers in both rural and urban areas of Puducherry are eligible.
Q: What is the subsidy provided under the scheme?
A: The scheme provides a 100% subsidy, offering the minikits completely free of cost.
Q: How are the vegetable seeds minikit & fruits minikit distributed?
A: They are distributed through Uzhavar Udhaviyagam and the Office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture (Horticulture) during the designated season.
Q: Who approves the final list of beneficiaries?
A: The final beneficiary list is approved by the Agricultural Officers (Horticulture) and displayed at the respective centers.
Q: How long is the provisional list of beneficiaries open for objections during social auditing?
A: The provisional list is typically open for a period specified by the department for social auditing (details available on the official website).
Q: What is the role of Agricultural Officers (Horticulture) in the application process?
A: They distribute application forms, verify submitted documents, record applications, and manage the final beneficiary list.
Sources and References
• Standard Operating Procedure
• Citizen’s Charter
• Contact Us
• Grievance Redressal