Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
What is MIDH and Why Was It Launched?
India is diversifying its agriculture away from over-reliance on traditional crops like rice and wheat. One of the key drivers of this diversification is horticulture—which includes fruits, vegetables, spices, floriculture, mushrooms, aromatic plants, and plantation crops like coconut and cashew.
Recognizing its high potential for income and employment generation, the government launched the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in 2014-15. It brought together multiple schemes under one umbrella to provide end-to-end, holistic support for the horticulture sector.
Quick Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Launched | 2014-15 |
| Objective | Holistic development of the horticulture sector |
| Coverage | All States and Union Territories |
| Fund Sharing | 60:40 (Centre: State); 90:10 for NE and Himalayan states; 100% Central for national agencies |
Objectives of MIDH
- Promote holistic growth from production to marketing.
- Enhance productivity and quality via technological interventions.
- Promote crop diversification to high-value horticulture.
- Facilitate post-harvest management, cold chains, and market linkages.
- Encourage R&D and capacity-building for farmers and institutions.
🔍 Salient Features
1. Crop Coverage
- Fruits, vegetables, spices, root & tuber crops, mushrooms
- Plantation crops: Coconut, cashew, cocoa
- Bamboo, medicinal and aromatic plants
2. Fund Flow and Support
- Financial & technical support to States/UTs.
- Centre: State fund ratio:
- 60:40 for general states
- 90:10 for NE & Himalayan states
- 100% Central for national-level agencies like NHB, CDB, CIH
3. Key Sub-Missions / Implementing Arms
| Sub-Mission | Focus |
|---|---|
| NHM (National Horticulture Mission) | Area-based, region-specific development |
| HMNEH (Horticulture Mission for North-East and Himalayan States) | Emphasis on organic farming, quality planting materials |
| NHB (National Horticulture Board) | Schemes for all states—focus on commercial horticulture |
| CDB (Coconut Development Board) | Coconut-growing regions |
| CIH (Central Institute of Horticulture), Nagaland | Capacity building in North-East India |
| NBM (National Bamboo Mission) | Promote holistic bamboo sector growth via plantation, processing & market linkage |
Monitoring and Transparency
- Executive Committee under Secretary (DAC&FW) oversees the mission.
- HORTNET platform enables e-Governance with:
- Online application
- Workflow automation
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
CHAMAN Project
Coordinated Horticulture Assessment using MANagement tools
- Uses GIS and remote sensing for:
- Crop area estimation
- Production forecasting
- Covers 12 states and 185 districts
- Key crops: Mango, Banana, Citrus, Potato, Onion, Tomato, Chilli
Nine Major Interventions under MIDH
| Intervention | Objective |
|---|---|
| 🌱 1. Quality Planting Material | Boost productivity with certified saplings |
| 🌿 2. Organic Farming | Support sustainable horticulture |
| 💧 3. Water Resource Management | Encourage micro-irrigation, watershed development |
| 🧊 4. Post-Harvest Infrastructure | Cold storage, pack houses, processing units |
| 🏡 5. Protected Cultivation | Greenhouses, shade nets for off-season crops |
| 🌳 6. Area Expansion | Support for new orchards and gardens |
| 🪓 7. Rejuvenation of Old Orchards | Restore productivity in senile plantations |
| ⚙️ 8. Horticulture Mechanization | Promote cost-effective modern tools |
| 🐝 9. Bee-Keeping | Improve pollination and provide supplementary income |
📝 Summary for UPSC Answer Writing
MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at holistic development of horticulture, covering the entire value chain from production to marketing. It integrates R&D, extension, infrastructure, and institutional support under one umbrella and plays a vital role in increasing farmers’ income and ensuring nutritional security.
📌 UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3 – Agriculture, Government Schemes, Food Processing
- Essay – Topics related to agricultural diversification, farmer welfare
- Case Study Use – Effective convergence model (MIDH + CHAMAN + HORTNET)