Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

• 13 May 2021

Why in News

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has provided an enhanced allocation of Rs. 2250 Crore for the year 2021-22 for ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture’ (MIDH).

• Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. M.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.

Key Points

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):
  
  • About: MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.
  • Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing MIDH with effect from 2014-15.
    
    • MIDH is implemented under Green Revolution - Krishonnati Yojana.
  • Funding Pattern: Under MIDH, Government of India (GoI) contributes 60% of total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states except states in North East and Himalayas, 40% share is contributed by State Governments.
    
    • In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GoI contributes 90%.

• MIDH Sub-Schemes:
  
  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM):
    
    • It is being implemented by State Horticulture Missions (SHM) in selected districts of 18 States and 6 Union Territories.
  • Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH):
    
    • HMNEH is being implemented for overall development of Horticulture in North East and Himalayan states.
  • National Horticulture Board (NHB):
    
    • NHB is implementing various schemes under MIDH in all States and UTs.
  • Coconut Development Board (CDB):
    
    • CDB is implementing various schemes under MIDH in all Coconut growing states in the country.
  • Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH)
    
    • CIH was established at Medi Zip Hima, Nagaland in 2006-07 for providing technical backstopping through capacity building and training of farmers and Field functionaries in the North Eastern Region.
• Achievements of MIDH:
  
  • During the year 2019-20, the country recorded its highest ever horticulture production of 320.77 million tonnes.
  • MIDH has played a significant role in increasing the area under horticulture crops.
    
    • Area and production during the years 2014-15 to 2019-20 has increased by 9% and 14% respectively.
  • It has contributed significantly towards improving the quality of produce and productivity of farmland.
  • The initiative of MIDH has not only resulted in India’s self-sufficiency in the horticulture sector but also contributed towards achieving sustainable development goals of zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, no poverty, gender equality etc.
• Challenges:
  
  • The Horticulture sector is still facing a lot of challenges in terms of high post-harvest loss and gaps in post-harvest management and supply chain infrastructure.

Way Forward

• There is tremendous scope for enhancing the productivity of Indian horticulture which is imperative to cater to the country’s estimated demand of 650 Million MT of fruits and vegetables by the year 2050.
• Some of the new initiatives like focus on planting material production, cluster development programme, credit push through Agri Infra Fund, formation and promotion of FPOs (Farmers Producer Organisations) are the right steps in this direction.

Source: PIB