Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

Published on 12 Mar 2025

Launched in 2014, the Mission aims to enhance horticulture production, productivity, and market access.

Key Strategies:

• Expansion of Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Agro-Climatic Zones: Promote temperate fruit cultivation in the Western Himalayan region, utilizing altitude-specific crop varieties for apples, pears, and plums.

• Development of Cold Chain Infrastructure: Establish cold storage and refrigerated transport facilities in horticulture-rich regions like the Malnad region of Karnataka, aimed at minimizing post-harvest losses.

• Processing and Value Addition Initiatives: Facilitate the establishment of processing units for high-value crops like litchi in the Terai region to enhance product shelf-life and marketability.

• Strengthening of Market Information Systems (MIS): Implement advanced MIS in horticulture belts like the Nilgiri Hills to provide real-time price information, ensuring better price realization for farmers.

Impact:

• Higher Productivity in Temperate Horticulture: Significant increase in the productivity of temperate fruits in the Western Himalayas, with improved fruit quality and export potential.

• Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses: Notable decrease in post-harvest losses in the Malnad region due to improved cold chain facilities, leading to better profitability for farmers.

• Increased Value-Added Exports: Growth in the export of processed horticultural products from the Terai region, bolstering the local economy and enhancing farmer incomes.

• Enhanced Market Access: Farmers in the Nilgiri Hills achieve better market prices due to real-time market information, leading to improved income stability.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Agriculture technology mission Horticulture

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Agriculture and Food Security