Karnataka targets Rs 3000 crore from Horticulture exports

Bangalore, Aug 31 (UNI) Karnataka has set a target of Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal from exports of Horticulture produce, including flowers, compared to Rs 2,450 crore during 2006-07, Horticulture Minister Shashikanth Akkappa Naik said today.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Naik said considering the several initiatives taken by the Horticulture department, the export was expected to increase over 20 per cent.

The state was taking efforts to find new market for flowers and had exported flowers worth Rs three crore to EU, US and Africa.

He said the Centre had agreed to include six more districts under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and had released Rs 153 crore for 2007-08 under NHM.

''The total number of districts brought under the NHM programme in Karnataka will increase to 23,'' he said.

The government had identified over 1,225 acres of land for establishing the new horticulture university at Bhagalkot, he added.

UNI