Lok Sabha Question No. 2709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Development of Horticulture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ramapati Ram Tripathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2709

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## DEVELOPMENT OF HORTICULTURE SECTOR

2709.  DR. RAMAPATI RAM TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to State:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  working  for  the  overall  development  of  the  horticulture sector; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  works  being  carried  out/  proposed  to  be  carried  out  by  the Government for the overall development of the said sector; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  to  (c):          Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  a  Centrally Sponsored  Scheme namely Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of horticulture in the country. All States/UTs are covered under MIDH. Activities such as Production of Planting Material, Vegetable Seed Production, Cultivation of  improved cultivars  of fruits  &  vegetables,  Rejuvenation  of  Senile  Orchards,  Protected Cultivation, Creation of  Water Resources, Integrated Nutrient  Management  (INM), Horticulture Mechanization, Creation of Post Harvest Management (PHM) and Marketing Infrastructure are taken up under MIDH for promotion of Horticulture Sector in the country. There are two autonomous organizations namely National Horticulture Board (NHB) and Coconut Development Board (CDB), two Directorates namely Directorate of Cashewnut & Cocoa Development (DCCD) and Directorate of Arecanut & Spices Development (DASD) and  one  Institute  i.e.  Central  Institute  of  Horticulture  (CIH)  under  the  umbrella  MIDH scheme, which are also implementing various schemes for development of horticulture in the  country.  As  a  result,  horticulture  sector  has  recorded  highest  ever  horticulture production of 331.05 million tons during 2020-21 (as per 3 rd advance estimates) and thus contributing significantly towards national objective of doubling of farmer's income.

In  addition,  there  are  23  Research  Institutions,  25  Regional  Stations,  11  All  India Coordinated  Research  Projects  and  2  All  India  Network  Research  Projects  engaged  in research  and  development  of  horticulture  sector  in  the  country  under  the  administrative control of ICAR.

The  Government  has  recently  launched  National  Nursery  Portal  for  easy  access  to information on availability of quality planting material in the nearby localities for farmers/growers and  other stake holders and  thus will further help in increasing horticulture  production.  Government  is  also  taking  necessary  steps  for  development  of horticulture clusters and import of quality planting material of high value horticulture crops and promotion of globally popular exotic fruits and important indigenous fruit crops. The Government has also established an Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for Rs. 1 lakh crore providing collateral free term loan in subsidized rate of interest for creation of decentralized post harvest infrastructure which will help in reducing post harvest losses.

********