HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 261: Model Answer

Question: Discuss the mission for integrated development of Horticulture. ( 8 marks/ 120 words)

Answer.

The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture or MIDH is a scheme for the holistic growth and development of the Indian horticulture sector. MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Agriculture Ministry from 2014-15 under Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana. This Centrally Sponsored scheme covers vegetables, fruits, roots and tuber crops, aromatic plants, flowers, spices, bamboo, coconut, cashew and cocoa.

It has various Sub-Schemes:

National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland, National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

Main objectives of Mission

1. Promote holistic growth of horticulture sector, including bamboo and coconut through area based regionally differentiated strategies, which includes research, technology promotion, extension, post harvest management, processing and marketing, in consonance with comparative advantage of each State/region and its diverse agro-climatic features;
2. Encourage aggregation of farmers into farmer groups like FIGs/FPOs and FPCs to bring economy of scale and scope.
3. Enhance horticulture production, augment farmers, income and strengthen nutritional security;
4. Improve productivity by way of quality germplasm, planting material and water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation.
5. Support skill development and create employment generation opportunities for rural youth in horticulture and post harvest management, especially in the cold chain sector.

Way Forward:

• There is tremendous scope for enhancing the productivity of Indian horticulturewhich 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.