Khowai, September 7, 2026:** The Horticulture Department has undertaken a series of programmes in Khowai district for 2026-27 to expand horticultural cultivation, promote improved crop varieties and enhance farmers’ income, a senior department official said on Monday.
Deputy Director of Horticulture for Khowai district, Chitta Debbarma, said the department would focus on improved varieties of vegetables, pineapple, jackfruit, rambutan, watermelon and flowers, along with oil palm and potato cultivation.
Under the **Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)**, the department has planned cultivation of improved hybrid varieties of summer and winter vegetables across **150 hectares**. Pineapple cultivation will be taken up on another **75 hectares**, while improved varieties of jackfruit and rambutan will cover **10 hectares and five hectares**, respectively.
The department has also proposed watermelon cultivation on **40 hectares** and flower cultivation on another **40 hectares**, with the aim of encouraging farmers to diversify into commercially viable crops.
Under the Central government’s **National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)**, oil palm cultivation has been planned across **300 hectares** in the district. According to Debbarma, farmers participating in the programme will also receive support through facilities such as excavation of new ponds, pump sets and solar-powered pumps.
The department has separately introduced a potato cultivation initiative under the State Plan scheme. **True Potato Seed (TPS)** will be used for cultivation across seven hectares, while **26 metric tonnes of tuberlets or seed potatoes** will be distributed to farmers through government subsidy.
In addition, around **500 farmers** are proposed to receive ARC-derived tuberlets or seed potatoes, while **30 farmers** will be provided ARC saplings for cultivation.
Debbarma said the programmes are aimed at helping farmers supplement conventional agriculture with improved varieties and high-value crops. The initiatives are expected to promote crop diversification, improve productivity and create additional income opportunities for farming households across Khowai district.
