(a) the number of districts covered under the National Horticulture Mission in the country along with the State-wise details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to expand the National Horticulture Mission in the remaining districts also;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government has received representations from various States to include more number of districts under the said Mission; and
(e) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a): State-wise details of the total number of districts included under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) are at Annexure.
(b) & (c): Currently there is no such proposal.
Contd…2/-
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(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. Several requests have been received from various States for inclusion of more districts under the Mission. On the issue of inclusion of more districts under MIDH, the view of the department is that while finalizing/indentifying districts for inclusion under MIDH, a cluster approach for developing potential horticultural crops for ensuring backward and forwarded linkages was adopted. The selection of the district was decided on the comparative advantage of crops based on agro climatic conditions and potential for developing marketing opportunities. No new districts are being added as this may result in thinning out of already limited resources.
However, there is a provision under MIDH scheme for setting up of infrastructure units relating to post harvest management, marketing and other projects based activities in non-MIDH districts, provided there is a clear linkage of the units with the horticulture produce. Apart from this, activities for development of horticulture in non-MIDH districts can be carried out under other Government schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) etc.