Que. 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?
बागवानी फार्मों के उत्पादन, उसकी उत्पादकता एवं आय में वृद्धि करने में राष्ट्रीय बागवानी मिशन (एन.एच.एम.) की भूमिका का आकलन कीजिए। यह किसानों की आय बढ़ाने में कहाँ तक सफल हुआ है?
Structure of the Answer
(i) Introduction: Introduce the “National Horticulture Mission” (“NHM”), its goals of enhancing “horticulture production,” “productivity,” and improving “income” of farmers.
(ii) Main Body: Assess how “NHM” impacts “horticulture growth,” through infrastructure, technology, and market linkages, and its role in increasing farmers’ “income.”
(iii) Conclusion: Summarize “NHM’s” successes in boosting “horticulture” production and income, while identifying challenges and suggesting improvements for better implementation.
Introduction
The “National Horticulture Mission” (“NHM”) was launched in 2005 with the aim to boost “horticulture production,” improve “productivity,” and enhance the “income” of farmers. By focusing on infrastructure, technology adoption, and market linkages, NHM seeks to make horticulture a sustainable and profitable sector.
Objectives and Framework of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
The NHM is designed to address challenges faced by the horticulture sector by focusing on production, technology, infrastructure, and market support.
(i) Main Objective of NHM: The primary goal of the NHM is to increase the “production” and “productivity” of horticultural crops in India, which include fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers. It aims to improve the income of farmers and ensure food security.
(ii) Technological Advancements: NHM encourages the use of “modern agricultural technologies” such as “drip irrigation,” “tissue culture,” and “greenhouse farming.” These technologies help increase yield, conserve water, and reduce environmental impacts, leading to improved productivity.
(iii) Infrastructure Development: The mission focuses on building “cold storage facilities,” “packaging units,” and “market linkages” to reduce post-harvest losses, which significantly affect horticulture produce. Improved infrastructure ensures better preservation, leading to higher profits for farmers.
(iv) Support for Input Subsidies: The NHM provides financial support for purchasing inputs such as “seeds,” “fertilizers,” “planting materials,” and “crop protection technologies.” This allows farmers to use high-quality inputs, which in turn increases the yield and quality of their crops.
(v) Farmer Capacity Building: NHM also emphasizes “farmer education” and “training” in modern horticulture practices. Workshops and training programs help farmers learn better crop management techniques, pest control methods, and marketing strategies, which collectively improve their overall productivity and profitability.
NHM’s Role in Boosting Horticulture Production and Productivity
The NHM has had a significant impact on increasing both the production and productivity of horticultural crops across India.
(i) Expansion of Cultivated Area: One of the major contributions of NHM has been the expansion of land under horticulture. The mission has led to the inclusion of more farmers in the sector, especially in states with favorable climatic conditions, contributing to the overall increase in horticultural production.
(ii) Increase in Crop Yields: By promoting scientific farming methods and offering better quality seeds and inputs, NHM has helped improve “crop yields” substantially. The introduction of high-yielding varieties and better management practices has raised the productivity of horticultural crops.
(iii) Focus on High-Value Crops: NHM promotes the cultivation of “high-value horticultural crops” such as “mangoes,” “pomegranates,” and “grapes,” which are not only profitable but also have higher export potential. This diversification into high-value crops enhances overall agricultural income.
(iv) Sustainability through Water Management: The mission advocates the use of water-efficient techniques like “drip irrigation” and “rainwater harvesting” to address water scarcity issues. By improving water use efficiency, NHM helps increase crop yields and ensures long-term sustainability in horticultural farming.
(v) Climate Resilience and Diversification: NHM encourages crop diversification, which helps farmers reduce dependency on a single crop. It also promotes climate-resilient crops to protect farmers from weather-related risks, further contributing to stable production and better yields.
Contribution of NHM to Improving Farmers’ Income
A key aim of NHM is to improve the financial condition of farmers through enhanced productivity, better market access, and reduced post-harvest losses.
(i) Market Linkages and Price Realization: The mission has established stronger “market linkages” by improving transportation networks and promoting “e-marketing platforms.” This helps farmers sell their produce directly to consumers or retailers, ensuring better price realization and higher incomes.
(ii) Post-Harvest Loss Reduction: By establishing “cold storage facilities” and improving “post-harvest management,” NHM helps reduce the loss of perishable horticultural crops, ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce and preventing price fluctuations.
(iii) Value Addition and Processing: NHM promotes “value-added products” such as juices, jams, and processed vegetables. Establishing “processing units” in rural areas has provided farmers with the opportunity to increase their income by processing their raw produce into higher-value items.
(iv) Diversification of Income Sources: Through crop diversification and the promotion of “mixed farming,” NHM helps farmers create multiple income sources, mitigating risks associated with the dependency on single crops and increasing the overall financial stability of farming households.
(v) Financial Support and Subsidies: The financial assistance provided by NHM, including “input subsidies” and low-interest loans, helps farmers invest in better farming techniques, advanced machinery, and infrastructure, which in turn increases their farm productivity and profitability.
Challenges and Limitations in Achieving Full Success
Despite its successes, the NHM has faced certain challenges that hinder its full potential in increasing farmer income and productivity.
(i) Inadequate Coverage in Remote Areas: While NHM has been successful in some regions, its reach remains limited in remote and less-developed areas due to inadequate infrastructure and poor implementation. Farmers in such areas often miss out on the benefits of the mission.
(ii) Weather Dependence: Despite improvements in technology and infrastructure, “horticulture farming” remains vulnerable to unpredictable weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures. These climatic challenges continue to affect farmers’ income and productivity.
(iii) Delay in Financial Disbursement: Delays in the disbursement of subsidies and financial assistance have affected farmers’ ability to invest in advanced farming technologies and infrastructure, limiting the potential benefits of NHM.
(iv) Lack of Awareness: Despite training programs, many farmers still lack awareness of modern techniques, crop management practices, and market opportunities. This knowledge gap limits their ability to fully leverage the resources provided by NHM.
(v) Limited Success in Some States: In some states, NHM has not been as successful due to “bureaucratic inefficiencies” and “local governance issues,” which hinder its effective implementation. Additionally, the benefits of NHM are not evenly distributed across all regions of the country.
Conclusion
The “National Horticulture Mission” has significantly contributed to increasing horticulture production, enhancing farmer incomes, and improving sustainability. However, challenges such as regional disparities, climate risks, and delayed financial support still limit its full potential, requiring better implementation and broader outreach.
