(a) whether any intensive programme for increasing fruits production under the National Horticulture Mission has been under implementation during the last three years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said programme is being implemented in all the States as per the targets;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether required resources are available for bringing per capita availability of fruits and vegetables at world level; and
(f) if not, the steps being taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is being implemented in
the Country from 2005-06 for the holistic development of horticulture. Under NHM, various
horticultural crops such as fruits, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, plantation crops of
Cashew and Cocoa are included for area expansion based on the natural potential of the area.
NHM envisages an end-to-end approach covering production and distribution of planting
material, vegetable seed production, area expansion, rejuvenation of old and senile orchards,
creation of water resources, protected cultivation, integrated pest management and integrated
nutrient management, organic farming, front line demonstration, human resource development and
development of infrastructure for Post harvest management and marketing.
(c) & (d): The NHM is being implemented in 18 States and 3 Union Territories of Andaman
& Nicobar, Lakshdweep and Puducherry. The remaining 11 States are covered under another
Mission viz. Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH). Apart from
the States & UTs, 13 National Level Agencies (NLA) are also involved for providing support to
the developmental efforts, which require inputs at the National level. During the 2005-06 to
2009-10, under NHM, 2192 new nurseries were setup, additional area of about 16.57 lakh hectare
was brought under new gardens of various horticulture crops, 2.78 lakh hectare of old and senile
orchards was rejuvenated to enhance productivity, an area of 1.37 lakh hectare was covered under
organic farming, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was
adopted in an area of 7.48 lakh hectare apart from setting up of 309 INM/IPM infrastructure (66
disease forecasting units, 78 bio control labs, 98 plant health clinics and 67 leaf/tissue analysis
labs). Under post harvest management component, 1093 pack houses, 285 cold storage units, 4 CA
storages, 14 refrigerated vans and 264 mobile/ primary processing units have been set up. To ensure
proper handling and marketing of horticulture produce, 9 whole sale markets and 163 rural markets
have been set up. Total 7.74 lakh farmers have been trained under various horticultural activities.
During 2005-06 to 2009-10, an amount of Rs. 4303.12 crore was released to 18 States,
3 UTs and 13 National Level Agencies for implementation of the Scheme, against which, an
expenditure of Rs. 4081.26 crore has been incurred.
(e) & (f): India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, next
to China. During 2008-09, out of total world production of fruits and vegetables, India`s share
is 11.8% and 13.4% respectively. Sufficient resources are available for increasing the production
and productivity of fruits and vegetables in the country. As per Indian Council of Medical Research
recommendation, per capita requirement of fruits in the country is 120 gm/ day and per capita
requirement of vegetable is 280 gm/day. However, as a result of implementation of NHM and HMNEH
schemes, availability of fruits during 2008-09 is 164 gm/person/day. Similarly, the availability
of vegetables during 2008-09 is 310 gm/person/day, which exceeds domestic requirement.