The agro climatic conditions in Andhra Pradesh permit the cultivation of large varieties of Horticultural crops. In past the interventions in Horticulture in Andhra Pradesh have mostly been in a schematic mode. The total production of horticultural commodities in the state is a matter of satisfaction but much needs to be achieved in terms of productivity, quality and market share.

The thrust of the Mission will be on area based regionally differentiated cluster approach for development of horticultural crops, having comparative advantage, no of activities are proposed to be taken up for improving production and productivity besides ensuring proper post harvest management of produce so that the farmer is able to harvest and sell his products at competitive rates.

The Mission Provides facility to utilize 5% the project cost as administrative cost more so on the total expenditure incurred during the year. Therefore it is proposed to strengthen the headquarter of the State Horticulture Mission with man power including hiring of technical services, database development, use of information technology, development of software and procurement of hardware, hiring and if necessary purchase of vehicles, engagement of personnel on contract who can assist in the day to day functioning of the office including driver etc.

To achieve the above mentioned goals of NHM the mission at state and district level require technical manpower, purchase of vehicles and other facilities since the Department of Horticulture has got weak manpower and infrastructure at district level.

The structure of the Department of Horticulture at district level:

The Department of Horticulture was formed on 1^st January 1982 after bifurcation from the State Agriculture Department to increase the area, enhance horticulture production and productivity, improve income support to farm house holds. It is pertinent to mention here that the total area under Horticulture in A.P has gone up from mere      3.5 lakh ha. in 1982 to 16 lakh ha. in the year 2005-06 but the departmental strength remains the same almost till now.

The Asst. Director of Horticulture is the district officer with 6 to 10 Horticultural officers as supporting staff at grass root levels in the district. Further there are no assistants to Horticultural officers for identification of beneficiaries, collection of applications etc.,

Prior to the Horticulture Mission, the districts used to get funds ranging from Rs.20 lakhs to Rs. 150 lakhs per year. Now each district is receiving funds ranging from Rs.300 lakhs to Rs. 700 lakhs per year with the same technical staff. It is becoming a very heavy burden on the staff with the present structure at district level.

Planning and Monitoring of the schemes:

To Plan and execute the entire district programmes, only one Asst. Director of Horticulture is available at district headquarter. In addition to the departmental programmes, he has to attend several meetings at district level with the District Collector and Magistrate. To achieve the mission targets with an outlay of Rs. 300 to Rs.700 lakhs, one senior officer i.e. Deputy Director of Horticulture level is very much essential at district level and hence the following structure is proposed at district level under SHM in addition to the regular staff of the Horticulture Department working in the districts: -

Strengthening of Manpower at District level

Mobility

One jeep is provided by the department per district, which is being utilized mostly by the district officer i.e., Asst. Director of Horticulture. Most of the jeeps were provided during the year 1991 and 1992 and they have become old, getting frequent repairs and not road worthy.

Hence it is proposed to purchase 12 new vehicles instead of hiring vehicle to replace the old vehicles in the SHM districts, as hired vehicles are not suitable to visit the remote and interior areas of the districts.

Since Horticultural officer is to operate vast area i.e., more than one constituency area, he require more mobility allowance. Each Horticulture officer is having Jurisdiction of 6 to 8 mandals. At present Govt. of A.P is providing only Rs. 600/- per month to tour 20 days in his jurisdiction, practically it is not sufficient to 7 to 8 days tour. Hence it is proposed to provide Rs.2000/- per month as mobility allowance to tour 20 days in addition to the regular allowance to the Horticulture officers for effective monitoring of the programmes.

Here it is pertinent to mention that Agriculture officer in the Department of Agriculture is being provided hired vehicle for nearly 8 to 10 months and his jurisdiction is only one mandal.

Other facilities required for Horticulture officers.

• Cell phone charges: it is proposed to provide @ Rs. 500/ month to each Horticultural officer as cell phone charges.
•  Furniture: No furniture is provided to the horticultural officers at their headquarter, i.e., MPDO/ MRO office. Hence it is proposed to allot Rs. 10,000/- each for the purchase of one office table, chair, small Alimarah and 3 plastic chairs. As it is otherwise very difficult to locate the HO in the district as he is not having any office or phone to sit in the district. By providing this minimum infrastructure we will make him to sit at any of the prominent office in the district for easy access by farmers.

Other facilities required at District level SHM Cell:-

State Horticulture Management

The state level Mission management Cell is established in the Commissionerate of Horticulture, Red Hills, Hyderabad to monitor day to day work at district level with following existing staff: -

Other facilities required for SHM Cell: