Government is implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for holistic development of the horticulture sector in the country. Under MIDH, institutional, technical and extension support is provided to assist farmers in the adoption of protected cultivation technologies. Such support is provided through State Horticulture Missions, Technical Support Groups (TSGs), Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs), Centres of Excellence (CoEs), ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and other recognised institutions.

The National Horticulture Board (NHB) also provides institutional and technical support through implementation of programmes such as the Clean Plant Programme, Horticulture Cluster Development Programme. Centres of Excellence established under MIDH serve as demonstration and training centres and act as sources of elite planting material and vegetable seedlings under protected cultivation. Sixty-one (61) crop-specific Centres of Excellence have been established under MIDH through Indo-Israel Cooperation, Indo-Dutch Cooperation and Research Institutes. In addition, assistance is available for demonstrations, capacity building and training of farmers and field functionaries under the Human Resource Development (HRD) component of MIDH.

The Operational Guidelines of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) do not contain any specific provision for engagement of NGOs or private sector entities. However, under Mission Management component of MIDH, 2.5% of total annual allocation is provided to State Horticulture Missions for managing various activities at State & District level.

MIDH scheme also provides support for strengthening institutional support framework for protected cultivation through Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs), Centres of Excellence (CoEs), State Horticulture Missions, National Horticulture Board (NHB), ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Further, financial and technical assistance is provided under MIDH for construction of protected cultivation structures like poly house, shade net house, plastic/non-woven cloth tunnels, walk in tunnels etc.

Apart from the above, assistance is provided for promotion of protected cultivation at commercial scale through National Horticulture Board (NHB) for establishment of integrated commercial horticulture production/processing projects including components such as planting materials, plantation, irrigation, fertigation, mechanization etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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