Overview of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a centrally sponsored scheme, launched in 2014–15, by merging six ongoing horticulture schemes (NHM, HMNEH, NBM, NHB, CDB, CIH).
It provides a comprehensive framework for the holistic development of the horticulture sector, which includes:
- Fruits, vegetables, flowers, plantation crops, spices, medicinal & aromatic plants, and bamboo.
- Coverage across all States and UTs, with a cluster-based, region-specific approach.
Implementation Mechanism:
- National Level: Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW).
- State Level: State Horticulture Missions (SHMs).
- Specialized Agencies: National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), etc.
Approach: “End-to-End” development — from production → post-harvest management → processing → marketing → export promotion.
2. Main Objectives of MIDH
The mission seeks to make Indian horticulture productive, sustainable, remunerative, and globally competitive. Its objectives are:
(i) Enhance Production and Productivity
- Expand area under horticulture crops.
- Promote high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties.
- Example: Tissue-cultured banana in Maharashtra, hybrid vegetables in Andhra Pradesh.
(ii) Promote Diversification & Region-Specific Planning
- Reduce dependence on traditional field crops by promoting high-value horticulture crops.
- Encourage cluster-based development for economies of scale.
- Example: Grapes in Nashik (Maharashtra), Apple in Himachal Pradesh, Pineapple in Tripura.
(iii) Improve Post-Harvest Management & Value Chain Development
- Establish pack houses, cold storage, ripening chambers, refrigerated vans.
- Support primary processing units to reduce post-harvest losses (20–30% in perishables).
- Example: Cold chain for mango exports from Andhra Pradesh to the Middle East.
(iv) Enhance Farmers’ Income & Employment Generation
- Position horticulture as a profitable and sustainable enterprise.
- Create rural employment, especially for women and youth.
- Example: Floriculture and mushroom cultivation in peri-urban areas.
(v) Promote Protected & Organic Cultivation
- Encourage protected cultivation (polyhouses, shade nets) for high-value crops.
- Support organic farming, especially in niche crops with export potential.
- Example: Organic spices in Kerala; Sikkim as a 100% organic state.
(vi) Strengthen Research, Extension & Capacity Building
- Develop new varieties and improved cultivation practices through R&D.
- Train farmers, entrepreneurs, and extension staff.
- Example: CIH, Nagaland, conducting skill training for farmers in Northeast India.
(vii) Develop Market Infrastructure & Export Competitiveness
- Promote market linkages, FPOs, and farmer cooperatives.
- Establish horticulture hubs for domestic and international trade.
- Example: Export promotion of grapes from Maharashtra, kinnow from Punjab.
Conclusion
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) provides a comprehensive, end-to-end approach to strengthen India’s horticulture sector. By integrating production, post-harvest management, processing, and marketing, the mission contributes to food and nutritional security, higher farm incomes, and export growth
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Key Point: MIDH is a centrally sponsored programme launched in 2014–15 to foster the end-to-end development of horticulture in India—spanning production, post-harvest management, processing and marketing—by leveraging region-specific agro-climatic strengths.
1. Overview of MIDH
The Mission integrates all horticultural subsectors—fruits, vegetables, roots & tubers, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo—into a unified framework that addresses:
- Pre-production: Development of nurseries, quality germplasm and tissue culture units
- Production: High-tech cultivation (protected farming, precision agriculture), area expansion and rejuvenation of aging orchards
- Post-harvest management: Pack-houses, cold chains, ripening chambers and warehouse infrastructure
- Processing & marketing: Value-addition units, market linkages, branding and export promotion
Implementation is tripartite: the Centre formulates guidelines and funds national agencies (e.g., NHB, CDB), States execute area-based projects through State Horticulture Missions, and District Missions coordinate on-ground operations with farmer groups and technical partners.agriculture.vikaspedia
2. Main Objectives of MIDH
MIDH’s objectives are designed to create a robust, sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector:byjus
- Farmer Aggregation:
- Form Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)
- Achieve economies of scale in input procurement, production and marketing
- Production & Income Enhancement:
- Expand area under high-value horticultural crops to increase output
- Boost farmers’ incomes by diversifying into high-value species
- Nutritional Security:
- Improve availability and affordability of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption
- Productivity Improvement:
- Supply quality planting material and germplasm
- Promote micro-irrigation and water-efficient technologies
- Disseminate modern cultivation practices and protected farming
- Post-Harvest Management & Value Addition:
- Establish cold chains, pack-houses and processing facilities
- Reduce post-harvest losses and extend market reach
- Skill Development & Employment Generation:
- Train farmers and rural youth in horticulture production, post-harvest handling and cold-chain operations
- Encourage entrepreneurship and create rural jobs across the value chain
- Research, Technology & Convergence:
- Foster R&D for crop improvement, pest management and post-harvest technologies
- Promote synergy among public and private sector agencies for holistic value-chain development
By achieving these objectives, MIDH aims to transform India into a global leader in horticultural production and trade while ensuring sustainable livelihoods and nutritional well-being for its farming communities.
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