The orchard development scheme is being successfully implemented in Hingoli district through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), with the goal of increasing agricultural produce and boosting farmers' income. The target for the current financial year is to develop orchards on a total of 636 hectares in the district.

Between April 2024 and January 2025, 297 farmers have developed orchards on 468 hectares of land. These farmers are expected to benefit from lucrative returns in the coming years. The scheme aims to provide a sustainable source of income by encouraging farmers to diversify their agricultural practices.

In Hingoli, it is traditional for farmers to grow summer crops alongside Kharif and Rabi crops, but they often incur losses due to heavy rains. To address this, the government introduced the orchard scheme through MGNREGA, not only to provide employment in rural areas but also to increase farmers' income. The agriculture department has been actively involved in encouraging farmers to develop orchards, offering guidance on cultivation and maintenance.

As a result, 297 farmers have developed orchards with various fruit trees such as mango, lemon, chiku, guava, pomegranate, oranges, sweet lemon, custard apple, and others.

Farmers participating in the scheme are provided up to Rs 3 lakh over three years to help with orchard development. The first instalment of Rs 1 lakh is given for the purchase of saplings and maintenance. The remaining Rs 2 lakh is distributed in two instalments over the following years.

A total of 882 farmers applied for the orchard scheme online in Hingoli district. Of these, 297 farmers were initially selected, with the remaining applications undergoing scrutiny. Once the process is completed, the eligible farmers will receive the benefits of the scheme.

The officers involved in the project have emphasized that continuous guidance is provided to farmers throughout the orchard development process to ensure its success.