The State Horticultural Mission will implement various schemes worth Rs.77 crore during the current financial year for producing and distributing planting materials, expanding organic cultivation and training and post-harvest management, among others. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would inaugurate the schemes at a function at Koothuparamba at 4 p.m. on September 17, Principal Agricultural Officer P.P. Rasheed Ali and State Horticultural Mission consultant V. Suresh told presspersons here on Wednesday. Agricultural Minister K.P. Mohanan would attend the function. They said that of the total Rs.77 crore estimated for implementing the schemes, Rs.65.45 crore would be granted by the Union government. Projects for expanding crop area in the district were earmarked Rs.26.61 crore, while revival of pepper, cocoa and areca nut was allocated Rs.2.55 crore. An amount of Rs.3.64 crore was set apart for production and distribution of planting materials. The schemes included development of water resources (Rs.64.5 lakh), conservation of agriculture (Rs.23.2 crore), expansion of organic farming (Rs.3.6 crore), popularising apiculture (Rs.69 lakh), post-harvest management (Rs.9.8 crore), training, study tour, and fairs (Rs.1.55 crore), mechanisation (Rs.97.5 lakh), exhibition of innovative technologies (Rs.25 lakh), and improvement of marketing facilities (Rs.2 crore). They said an additional Rs.18.68 crore was earmarked for implementing Kuttanad and Idukki packages, Cashew Mission activities, and horticultural census. Allocation for Kannur district in 2011-12 was Rs.3.81 crore.