Question : Target for Production of Fruits and Vegetables

(a) whether the Government has set any targets for the production of fruits, especially apples, and vegetables in various States of the country during the last three years and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise, with the action taken thereon;
(b) the details of the production of these fruits and vegetables during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(c) the details of assistance provided for promotion of horticulture crops during the last three years, Statewise;
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote production of apples in warm areas and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government proposes to help vegetable and fruit cultivators in marketing of their produce so that they get remunerative prices, if so, the assistance provided by the Government in this regard; and
(f) the steps taken to encourage research in vegetable and fruit production in the country?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a): Ministry of Agriculture & FW is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) w.e.f. 2014-15 for holistic growth of Horticulture Sector covering Fruits, Vegetables, Root & Tuber Crops, Mushroom, Spices, Flowers, Aromatic Plants, Coconut, Cashew & Cocoa. Production of Fruits and Vegetables etc. are supported under the Area Expansion component of the Scheme. MIDH scheme is being implemented through State Horticulture Missions (SHM) in accordance to the Annual Action Plan submitted by the States. Separate targets for the production of fruits and vegetables are not assigned to the States in the country.

(b): The State-wise production of Fruits and Vegetables during the last three years and current year (first advance estimates) is at Annexure I.









(c): The State-wise details of the funds released (GoI Share) to various States under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for promotion of horticulture during the last three years are at Annexure II.

(d): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is mandated to promote research in agriculture and allied sciences. ICAR has taken the following steps to promote production of apples in warm areas:
• ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Srinagar has identified the low chill apple varieties like Anna, Dorsett Golden, Mayan, Michael etc and started multiplying the varieties.
• Planting material of low chill varieties was supplied to Jammu region in this year.
• ICAR-CITH, Srinagar being DUS centre for temperate horticultural crops has conducted DUS testing for protection of low chill apple cultivar HRM-99 (Farmers Variety). This variety has been protected by Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers'' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) and is being promoted on large scale by the farmers in different states having warmer climate e.g. Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, warmer regions of J &K, warmer regions of HP etc.

(e): Under the component of Marketing Infrastructure of MIDH, financial assistance is also provided for setting up of terminal markets, wholesale markets, Rural Market /apni mandies, retail markets/outlets, static/mobile vending cart/ platform with cool chamber and functional infrastructures under the component of Market Infrastructures for which credit linked back ended subsidy is provided at the rate of 25% to 55% of admissible project cost. Apart from the above, Government is also implementing Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for procurement of agricultural and horticultural commodities which are perishable in nature and are not covered under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).

(f): Under MIDH, assistance is also provided for promotion of research activities through Central Government Institutes under ICAR, CSIR, SAUs, National Level Govt. Agencies and others location specific Institutes to take up need based applied research and development works in areas of seed and planting material including import of planting material, technology standardization and technology acquisition and imparting training and FLD, on project mode with 100% assistance.

The research steps are also being taken by 23 Institutes/ Directorates/ NRCs and 13 AICRPs under Horticulture Science Division of ICAR to help increase in Fruits and Vegetables production in the country.