(a) whether the Government has received proposals from various States
including Uttar Pradesh for implementing National Horticulture Mission in
all districts and development blocks;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government
thereto; and
(c) the time by which these proposals are likely to be cleared?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)
(a) to (c): Government of Uttar Pradesh has submitted proposals for inclusion of
all 71 districts under National Horticulture Mission. National Horticulture Mission
(NHM) envisages a cluster approach for developing potential horticulture crops duly
ensuring backward and forward linkages. While selecting the districts, comparative
advantage of crops based on agro-climate conditions, potential for development and
marketing opportunities are taken into consideration. Accordingly, till 2007-08, 45
districts of Uttar Pradesh have been covered under NHM. No other State has
submitted proposal to cover all Districts & development blocks under NHM.
The General Council of NHM in its meeting held on 20.03.2008 had decided
that in order to avoid thin distribution of resources, efforts should be made to
consolidate the implementation of the NHM programme rather than expand it.
Non-NHM Districts can avail assistance for horticulture development from scheme
like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme etc. State Government of Uttar Pradesh has been informed
accordingly.