Give an overview of mission for integrated development of Horticulture. (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 3, Q.21)
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a Government of India-sponsored scheme that was launched in 2014. The goal of MIDH is to promote holistic growth in the horticulture sector by assisting with various interventions such as infrastructure development, production and distribution of quality planting material, productivity improvement, and post-harvest management.
MIDH focuses on the coordinated and holistic development of horticulture by integrating various activities such as research, extension, and marketing of horticultural produce. The scheme is implemented in collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
When the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) was launched in 2014, it subsumed several centrally sponsored schemes.
Among the projects that were subsumed were:
- National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Established in 2005-06, the NHM focused on the holistic development of horticulture, with an emphasis on the integrated development of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It aimed to boost horticultural crop production, productivity, and quality, as well as farmers’ income.
- Horticulture Technology Mission (HTM): Established in 2010-11, the HTM focused on the adoption and promotion of modern horticulture technologies such as protected cultivation, micro-irrigation, and post-harvest management. Its goal was to promote sustainable and efficient horticultural crop production, with a focus on high-value crops.
- The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was established in 2006-07 with the goal of developing bamboo-based industries and adding value to bamboo products. It aimed to increase bamboo growers’ income, promote sustainable bamboo resource management, and create job opportunities.
- The Coconut Development Board (CDB) was established in 1981 with the goal of developing coconut-based industries and promoting value-added coconut products. It aimed to increase coconut growers’ income, improve productivity and quality of coconuts, and create job opportunities.
- Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH): Founded in 2006, CIH is a premier horticulture research and training institute. It assists farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the horticulture sector with training and capacity building.
The following are the main components of the MIDH scheme:
- Horticulture production: The scheme assists in the establishment of new orchards, plantations, and gardens, as well as the revitalization of old and senile orchards. It also encourages the use of better farming practices and technologies, such as drip irrigation, fertigation, integrated pest management, and good agricultural practices.
- Post-harvest management: MIDH supports the development of post-harvest infrastructure such as cold storage, pack houses, and ripening chambers in order to reduce waste and extend the shelf-life of horticultural produce.
- Marketing and export promotion: The scheme promotes the marketing and export of horticultural produce by providing financial assistance for the establishment of wholesale markets, grading and packing facilities, and value-added activities.
- Research and development: The MIDH supports horticulture research and development activities in order to improve crop varieties and develop new technologies and production systems for the industry.
- Capacity building: Through training, extension, and awareness activities, the scheme focuses on capacity-building activities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the horticulture sector.
