ICAR–KVK Malda (Additional) Leads Horticulture Transformation with NHB Financial Assistance Awareness Programme

30 July 2026, Malda

ICAR–KVK (CISH), Malda, under the jurisdiction of ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, in collaboration with the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, organised a District-Level Awareness Programme on NHB Financial Assistance Schemes, bringing together over 130 stakeholders, including farmers, FPOs, entrepreneurs, bankers, scientists and government officials.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapoor, IAS, District Magistrate, Malda, who highlighted the transformative role of horticulture in enhancing farmers' income and urged stakeholders to take advantage of NHB's financial assistance for developing modern horticultural enterprises. The event was attended by senior officials from NHB, NABARD, APEDA, the District Administration, financial institutions and line departments.

Reflecting on the occasion, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata said: "Horticulture-led growth must be driven by quality planting material, strong institutional convergence, and seamless access to financial support. Initiatives such as the Clean Plant Programme and Cluster Development Programme are transformative policy interventions that will strengthen value chains, enhance farmers' competitiveness, and create sustainable rural enterprises. ICAR-ATARI Kolkata together with KVKs of Zone-V remain committed to facilitating technology-led, market-oriented and climate-resilient horticultural development for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047."

A major highlight of the programme was the announcement of the approval of a mega Clean Plant Centre at the Regional Research Station, ICAR–CISH, Malda, under NHB's Clean Plant Programme. The Centre, one of only nine such facilities approved nationwide, will produce and supply high-quality, disease-free planting material, significantly strengthening the horticulture sector in eastern India.

Participants were also informed that Malda has been identified as a potential horticulture cluster under NHB's Cluster Development Programme (CDP), opening avenues with major financial assistance for integrated interventions in production, post-harvest management, value addition, logistics, branding and market linkages.

During the technical session, Dr Tapan Kumar Giri, Deputy Director, NHB, elaborated on the eligibility criteria, application procedures and financial assistance available under various NHB schemes, encouraging Farmer Producer Organisations, private companies and other eligible agencies to participate actively in the Cluster Development Programme.

To promote sustainable vegetable cultivation, vegetable seed kits containing improved varieties of seven vegetable crops were distributed among selected farmers from English Bazar, Gazole, Habibpur and Kaliachak blocks. Beneficiaries also received biofertilizers for sustainable nutrient management, along with 10 foot-operated sprayers and 15 knapsack sprayers to enhance the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and improve crop productivity.

The programme reinforced the commitment of NHB and ICAR–CISH, KVK Malda, to accelerating horticultural development through technology dissemination, institutional convergence, financial support and entrepreneurship promotion, paving the way for a more resilient and profitable horticulture sector in Malda district.

(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)