Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)
Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) was launched in 2001-02 by Government of India to bring prosperity to the North Eastern Region (NER) including Sikkim. Considering the potential of Horticulture for socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Technology Mission was extended to these States from 2003-04. HMNEH is based on the “end-to-end approach” taking into account the entire gamut of horticulture development, with all backward and forward linkages, in a holistic manner.
MINI MISSION-I
Research – coordinated and implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This Mini Mission concentrates on technology generation appropriate to the region. Major components under MM-I are supply of basic seed and planting material, technology standardization, refinement, on farm demonstration and training.
MINI MISSION-II
Production and Productivity – coordinated by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and implemented by State Departments of Horticulture/Agriculture. This mini mission aims at increasing production and productivity of Horticulture crops by adoption of improved production Technologies.
MINI MISSION-III
Post-harvest management and Marketing-coordinated by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, implemented by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection and National Horticulture Board. This Mini Mission aims for efficient post-harvest management, techniques, which include development of cold storage facilities,efficient transport and marketing facilities.
MINI MISSION-IV
Processing-coordinated and implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. This Mini Mission aims at promoting processing industry for value addition to Horticultural produce by promoting new processing units and up gradation of existing units. Technology Mission Cell at Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Headquarter coordinates with Central Ministries/ Departments/ State Governments/ other agencies involved in implementation of the Mission. The T.M cell is responsible for budget formulation, release of fund to SFAC and other agencies, obtaining approval of proposals at appropriate level and preparation of consolidated reports. All these functions come under the overall supervision of Horticulture Commissioner.
Financial achievement
During the years 2001-02 to 2009-2010, an amount of `1863.83 crores has been released under the Mission, of which `1370.70 crores for NE states and `493.13 crores for Himalayan states. During the year 2009-2010, an amount of `359 crore was earmarked and an amount of `325.72 crore was released under the mission, out of which `248.23 crore has been released to North Eastern states and `77.49 crore to Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Physical achievement
The implementation of the mission since inception of the scheme upto 2009-10 has helped in bringing in an additional area of 528748 ha under various horticulture crops in the states. Of this fruits contributed 287516 ha, vegetables 104202 ha, spices including saffron 74485 ha, plantation crops (cashew) 14111 ha, medicinal 6464 ha, aromatic plants 10183 ha, flowers 30468 ha, root & tubers crops 1319 ha. In addition, 36968 ha of senile and unproductive orchards have been rejuvenated to increase productivity. Major infrastructure which has come up under the mission includes 1017 nurseries, 11177 community tanks and 14583 tube wells. Drip irrigation has been extended to 15751 ha. Twenty seven model floriculture centers and 57 herbal gardens have been established. Besides this, 27 tissue culture units and 22 disease forecasting unit have also been setup. Mission gave special thrust to high value crops like tomato capsicum, strawberry and flowers to ensure production of quality produce. More than 8.5million sq m of protected cultivation has been established in these regions. So far 5927 power tillers, 65775 manually operated machines, 12748 power operated implements and 13276 diesel engines have been distributed under the mission. For proper handling and marketing of horticulture produce, 47 whole-sale markets, 344 rural primary market/apni mandis, 35 cold storage, 65 processing units and 18 state grading laboratories have been established.
During the period under report, an additional area of 93757 ha has been brought under different horticultural crops. Of this, fruits contributed 44454 ha, vegetables 27270 ha, spice including saffron 10683 ha, medicinal & aromatic plants 1928 ha, plantation crops 3368 ha, root & tubers 449 ha, flowers 5538 ha, etc. In addition, 7081 ha of senile and unproductive orchards have been rejuvenated for further higher production. Besides, infrastructure facilities such as 59 model nurseries, 1192 community tanks, 3631 tube wells, 764312 sq m of greenhouses, 6 model floriculture centers, 2 mushroom units, 32 rural primary markets/ apni mandis and 16 processing units have been established. Under Human Resource Development activity 37121 farmers/ officers including women farmers have been trained on various aspects of horticulture.
Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)
