(a) the aims and objectives of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM);
(b) whether the Government has recently reviewed the functioning of the National
Horticulture Mission in the country;
(c) if so, the outcome thereof;
(d) the deficiencies identified during the review;
(e) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard and to boost
horticultural production in the country; and
(f) the funds sanctioned and released to various States/UTs during the last year
under the Mission?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 130 DUE FOR REPLY ON 21ST AUGUST, 2012.
(a): National Horticulture Mission (NHM) has the following major objectives:
(a) Provide holistic growth of horticulture sector through area based regionally
differentiated strategies, which include research, technology promotion,
extension, post harvest management, processing and marketing, in consonance
with comparative advantage of each State/region and its diverse agro-climatic
features;
(b) Enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income
support to farm households;
(c) Establish convergence and synergy among on-going and plan programmes, for
horticulture development;
(d) Promote, develop and disseminate technologies for horticulture development,
through seamless blending of traditional wisdom and modern scientific
knowledge;
(e) Create employment generation opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons,
especially unemployed youth.
(b) to (e): As provided in the NHM guidelines, regular review and monitoring of the
scheme is carried out by the General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC) of
NHM. A Quick Analytical Study of NHM has been conducted by Agricultural Finance
Corporation Limited during July, 2012. The report has found that there has been a
substantial increase in the area, production and productivity of horticultural crops on
account of the implementation of NHM. The report has also highlighted areas of
concern related to adequacy of quality planting material, productivity, post harvest
management practices and marketing infrastructure.
In the Annual Action Plan (2012-13) of States and UTs, thrust has been provided
to accreditation of existing nurseries, strengthening of public nurseries, development of
new nurseries in private sector, rejuvenation of existing orchards, protected cultivation,
creation of post harvest management infrastructure and markets.
(f): State-wise details of funds sanctioned and released under NHM during 2011-12
are given at the Statement at Annexure.