UP to use satellite mapping to enhance horticulture resources

Lucknow, July 18 (UNI) The horticulture department of Uttar Pradesh will use satellite mapping and partial land use surveys to get comprehensive data about land usage in the state.

The mapping and surveys will be used to establish the accurate horticulture cover in the state. In the 11th Five Year Plan, UP has a target of increasing the land cover to 45 lakh hectare. The mapping and survey exercise will help the department to identify the extent of land under cultivation.

The satellite imaging technology will also help Horticulture department select pieces of land that could be used for cultivation of horticulture produce.

Besides mapping, the department will also conduct ground surveys of 140 villages in every district. A total of 11,000 villages will be covered by the survey.

The horticulture inspectors, sub-divisional magistrates and lekhpals have been asked to register potato fields and orchards in their 'khasras'. The 'khasra' entries will give the department details of about 15 per cent land under horticulture cultivation.

After the information on land use is collected, the department will hire a professional agency to compile the data and carry out a cross-check.

The department has been earmarked Rs 400 crore under the National Horticulture Mission for the promotion of horticulture in 22 mission districts.

Land under cultivation of horticulture crops in UP is around 30 lakh hectare.

UNI