The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India to promote holistic growth in the horticulture sector. Horticulture encompasses the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, mushrooms, spices, aromatic plants, bamboo, coconut, cashew, and cocoa. Unlike traditional agriculture, horticulture focuses on intensive, commercial, and high-value crops, balancing both production and ornamental value.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is the nodal authority for implementing MIDH, which also provides technical guidance and administrative support to State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) and other associated agencies. MIDH aims to improve productivity, enhance farmer incomes, and strengthen nutritional security while addressing post-harvest management, marketing, and processing challenges in India’s horticulture sector.
Why was MIDH Introduced?
India’s horticulture sector has immense potential due to its diverse agro-climatic regions. However, several challenges such as low productivity, post-harvest losses, lack of modern technology, and fragmented marketing systems limited the sector’s growth.
To address these challenges, MIDH was introduced with the following objectives:
- Promote holistic growth in horticulture through region-specific strategies.
- Enhance productivity and quality of horticultural crops.
- Strengthen post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure.
- Encourage farmer aggregation into Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).
- Provide skill development and employment opportunities, especially for rural youth.
- Support sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.
The mission also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger, good health, reduced poverty, and gender equality.
What are the Sub-Schemes of MIDH?
MIDH is not implemented uniformly across India. It has several sub-schemes to address regional and crop-specific requirements. The two primary sub-schemes are:
| Aspect | National Horticulture Mission (NHM) | Horticulture Mission for North Eastern & Himalayan States (HMNEH) |
| Focus Area | 18 states and 6 Union Territories (excluding NE & Himalayan states) | North Eastern states including Sikkim, and Himalayan states: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand |
| Objectives | – Promote horticulture based on regional comparative advantages – Enhance production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and other horticulture crops | – Develop horticulture in regions with unique climatic and geographical challenges – Promote area expansion, modern infrastructure, and improved post-harvest management |
| Support Provided | – Financial assistance for nurseries and tissue culture units – Post-harvest infrastructure like cold storage and grading units – Area expansion and rejuvenation of old orchards – Technology dissemination and human resource development | – Higher subsidy rates to encourage investment in difficult terrains – Financial assistance for area expansion, nurseries, post-harvest management, and skill development |
| Funding Pattern | Central Government: 60% State Governments: 40% | Central Government: 90% State Governments: 10% |
| Significance | Ensures forward and backward linkages in the horticulture value chain, promoting cluster-based development and stakeholder participation | Addresses challenges of terrain, climate, and infrastructure while ensuring horticulture growth in strategic regions |
How does MIDH Support Farmers?
MIDH provides both financial and technical assistance for a wide range of horticulture activities. These include:
- Nurseries and Tissue Culture Units: For quality planting material and seed production.
- Area Expansion: Establishing new orchards, gardens, and plantations.
- Rejuvenation of Old Orchards: Reviving unproductive crops to improve yield.
- Protected Cultivation: Use of polyhouses and greenhouses for off-season high-value crops.
- Organic Farming & Certification: Encouraging sustainable practices.
- Water Resource Development: Irrigation, watershed management, and micro-irrigation for efficiency.
- Beekeeping & Pollination: Promoting crop pollination and honey production.
- Mechanization: Use of modern tools for better productivity.
- Post-Harvest Management & Marketing: Cold storage, processing, grading, and marketing infrastructure.
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What are the Key Objectives of MIDH?
The mission’s objectives focus on comprehensive development, productivity improvement, and market integration. The main goals include:
- Holistic Development: Covering pre-production, production, post-harvest, processing, and marketing stages.
- Technological Advancement: Promoting R&D, precision farming, and cold chain infrastructure.
- Farmer Aggregation: Encouraging group formation to achieve economies of scale and access to markets.
- Productivity Enhancement: Using quality germplasm, improved planting material, and efficient water management.
- Skill Development: Training youth and farmers in modern horticulture and post-harvest practices.
- Employment Generation: Creating jobs in rural areas through horticulture enterprises and processing.
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Which Activities are Covered Under MIDH?
MIDH supports a wide spectrum of activities to strengthen horticulture. Some of the prominent activities are:
- Setting up of tissue culture units and nurseries for quality planting material.
- Area expansion through new orchards and vegetable gardens.
- Rejuvenation of old, unproductive orchards.
- Adoption of protected cultivation methods like greenhouses and polyhouses.
- Promotion of organic farming and certification processes.
- Water management through irrigation and watershed development.
- Beekeeping and pollination support.
- Adoption of mechanization to improve productivity.
- Post-harvest infrastructure development including cold storage, grading, and processing units.
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How is MIDH Implemented Across India?
Implementation of MIDH is coordinated through State Horticulture Missions (SHMs), which submit Annual Action Plans (AAPs) to the central government for approval. These plans include:
- Past outcomes of horticulture interventions.
- Proposed activities for the current financial year.
- Specific targets for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women beneficiaries.
The Executive Committee of MIDH oversees the allocation of funds to SHMs and National Level Agencies (NLAs). Higher subsidy rates are given for projects in North Eastern, Himalayan, Tribal Sub-Plan areas, and islands like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep to promote inclusive development.
What are the Achievements of MIDH?
Since its implementation, MIDH has contributed significantly to India’s horticulture sector:
- Record Production: In 2019-20, India achieved a record horticulture production of over 320 million tonnes.
- Area & Production Growth: Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, area under horticulture increased by 9% and production by 14%.
- Improved Quality: Enhanced productivity and quality of horticultural crops.
- Sustainable Development: Contributed to SDGs such as zero hunger, nutrition, and gender equality.
- Regional Development: Special focus on North Eastern and Himalayan states has strengthened local horticulture economies.
What are the Challenges Faced by MIDH?
Despite remarkable progress, the horticulture sector in India continues to face challenges:
- High post-harvest losses due to insufficient storage and cold chain infrastructure.
- Fragmented supply chains, limiting market access for small farmers.
- Lack of awareness about modern cultivation techniques among marginal farmers.
- Climate-related risks affecting productivity.
What is the Future Roadmap of MIDH?
The future focus of MIDH includes:
- Expanding planting material production and cluster development programs.
- Promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and market aggregation.
- Increasing investment through schemes like Agri Infra Fund for cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure.
- Enhancing research in high-value crops and precision farming.
- Strengthening training and skill development programs for rural youth.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Mission | MIDH – Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture |
| Sub-Schemes | NHM, HMNEH, NHB, CDB, CIH, NBM |
| Objective | Holistic development, productivity enhancement, post-harvest management, skill & employment |
| Coverage | All states and UTs (NHM: 18 states + 6 UTs, HMNEH: NE & Himalayan states) |
| Funding Pattern | NHM: 60:40, HMNEH: 90:10 (Central:State) |
| Key Activities | Nurseries, tissue culture, area expansion, rejuvenation, protected cultivation, organic farming, irrigation, beekeeping, mechanization, post-harvest infrastructure |
| Achievements | 320 MT production in 2019-20, 14% production growth, 9% area growth, improved productivity & quality |
| Challenges | Post-harvest losses, supply chain gaps, climate risks |
| Future Focus | Cluster development, FPO promotion, research, cold chain, skill development |
Questions Based on Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
1. What does MIDH stand for?
a) Mission for Indian Development in Horticulture
b) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
c) Ministry of International Development in Horticulture
d) Mission for Internal Development in Horticulture
e) None of the above
2. Which ministry implements MIDH?
a) Ministry of Rural Development
b) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
c) Ministry of Environment
d) Ministry of Food Processing
e) Ministry of Science & Technology
3. Which states are covered under HMNEH?
a) All states of India
b) North Eastern and Himalayan states
c) Southern states only
d) Western states only
e) Northern plains
4. What is the funding pattern for NHM?
a) 70:30
b) 50:50
c) 60:40
d) 90:10
e) 80:20
5. Which activity is not covered under MIDH?
a) Beekeeping
b) Organic farming
c) Post-harvest infrastructure
d) Animal husbandry
e) Protected cultivation
6. What was India’s horticulture production in 2019-20?
a) 250 MT
b) 300 MT
c) 320 MT
d) 280 MT
e) 350 MT
7. Which institution provides training for NE states under MIDH?
a) NHB
b) CIH, Nagaland
c) CDB
d) NBM
e) KVKs only
8. Which crops are included under MIDH?
a) Fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, spices, bamboo, coconut
b) Wheat and rice only
c) Pulses only
d) Dairy products
e) Cotton and jute
9. Which scheme is part of MIDH for bamboo sector development?
a) NHM
b) NBM
c) NHB
d) CDB
e) HMNEH
10. Which is a key objective of MIDH?
a) Promoting holistic horticulture growth
b) Reducing literacy
c) Urban development
d) Space research
e) Mineral exploration
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Answer Key
| Question No. | Correct Answer |
| 1 | b) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture |
| 2 | b) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| 3 | b) North Eastern and Himalayan states |
| 4 | c) 60:40 |
| 5 | d) Animal husbandry |
| 6 | c) 320 MT |
| 7 | b) CIH, Nagaland |
| 8 | a) Fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, spices, bamboo, coconut |
| 9 | b) NBM |
| 10 | a) Promoting holistic horticulture growth |
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