Central Govt unveils Rs 250 crore project for Pollachi Coconut Cluster
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Chennai: The Horticulture Department launched Rs 250 crore for the development of the Pollachi Coconut Cluster. The scheme is supported by the central government, providing Rs 100 crore in subsidies, and is set to focus on three main areas, such as pre-production and production, post-harvest management, and, in the end, marketing, logistics, and branding. The scheme will be run under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) of the National Horticulture Board, and it comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency (TANHODA), as the Cluster Development Agency (CDA), has invited proposals from interested agencies. Applicants will have to submit applications online before June 25, 2025, through the official online portal.
Pollachi has been selected as one of the 12 pilot clusters among the 55 horticulture clusters identified all over the country. It comes in the category of the "mega cluster" because its total area is 15,000 hectares. Therefore, it is eligible for financial help up to Rs 100 crore.
A mobile soil testing laboratory is to be set up in Coimbatore, costing Rs 75 lakh. Here farmers will get a chance to bring their soil samples and get guidance from experts, like which fertilizers are suitable for their respective soils. The testing charge is a nominal Rs 30 only for each sample. This will help in enhancing the fertility of farmers’ soil, and that will boost their productivity and incomes.
This initiative is a milestone in making coconut farming stronger in Pollachi. The subsidy and soil test facilities, along with other infrastructure, are going to help the local farmers to increase their yield and strengthen their economic conditions.