Question : Coverage under National Horticulture Mission

(a) whether the National Horticulture Mission has been under implementation in the various States since the year 2005-16, if so, the number of districts covered under the said mission at present, State-wise;

(b) whether the Union Government has received several proposals from various States for inclusion of more districts under the Mission; and

(c) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard, State-wise and the quantum of funds provided by the Government to these States in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): Yes, Madam. National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is under implementation for the integrated and holistic development of horticulture sector in the country since 2005-06. The scheme has been subsumed under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) w.e.f. 2014-15. State-wise details of the total number of districts included under this mission are at Annexure-I.

(b): Yes, Madam. Several requests from various States have been received for inclusion of more districts under the Mission.

(c): On the issue of inclusion of more districts under NHM, the consistent view of the department is that while finalizing/identifying districts for inclusion under NHM, 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, potential for developing marketing opportunities were taken into consideration. No new districts are being added as this may result in thinning out of already limited resources.

However, there is a provision under NHM scheme for setting up of infrastructure units relating to post harvest management, marketing and other project based activities in non NHM districts, provided there is a clear linkage of the units with the horticulture produce. Aprart from this, activities for development of horticulture in non-NHM districts can be carried out under other Government schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) etc.

Statement indicating state-wise funds released under NHM for the current year and the last three years is at Annexure-II.