GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): National Horticulture Mission | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (UPSC MAINS )

National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is an Indian Government scheme promoted with the objective to develop horticulture to the maximum potential available in the states and to augment production of all horticultural products. This scheme was launched under 10th five year plan in 2005-06. 

• Under this scheme centre government contributes 85%, and 15% is contributed by the state government. The role of NHM in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticultural farms can be assessed as: It provides holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies due to which more than 9 crore metric tons of fruits on 63 lakh hectare land were produced during 2015-16. 
• Horticulture farms are much smaller and horticulture crops have high return on investment which allows marginal farmers to increase their income using small lands. Farmers can plant multiple crops on their land which provide multiple earning resources. Regions experiencing low rainfall and prone to drought are getting benefit from the option of horticulture which requires less water and is less susceptible to crop failure. 
• For example, Bagepalli, a drought prone area in Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border is now emerging as a horticulture hot spot. Horticulture crops have short turnaround time than food crops which helps in efficient land utilization, increased production and productivity, and also increases income of farmers. 
• After the launch of the NHM, significant progress has been made in area expansion under horticulture crops, resulting in higher production and increase in income. Over the last decade, the area under horticulture grew at an average rate of 2.7% per annum and annual production increases at an average rate of 7.0% per annum. In Bagepalli, for example, the annual turnover was Rs 6 lakh in 2016. 
• But it has been Rs 10 lakh a month in 2018, as farmers swiftly shifted to horticulture crops. This form of cultivation is gathering steam across the country, even as the Centre aims to double farmer incomes by 2022. But still challenges like inadequate cold storage infrastructure, limited availability of market, limited support from government and high price fluctuation are needed to be catered to achieve the aim of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

Topics Covered- National Horticulture Mission