GS-3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT:
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is in the news due to the Union Government’s decision to expand it by incorporating modern farming techniques like Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture.
EXPLANATION:
More About news:
New Components Added to MIDH:
- Four new components will be introduced under MIDH: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture.
- These modern farming techniques aim to enhance productivity and sustainability in horticulture.
About Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):
- MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at promoting the cultivation of a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo.
Revision of Guidelines and Cost Norms:
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is in the process of updating MIDH’s operational guidelines and cost norms.
- A 20% increase in cost norms is expected, reflecting the rising expenses in horticulture over the years.
- The last revision took place in April 2014.
State Demand for Updated Norms:
- Several states have raised concerns over outdated cost norms and requested updates to reflect current expenses.
- Odisha’s Agriculture Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, highlighted the issue of using 10-year-old rates.
Approval Process and Notification Timeline:
- The Agriculture Ministry has received in-principal approval from the Union Cabinet for these revisions.
- The revised guidelines will be officially notified within a month.
Budget Allocation:
- MIDH has been allocated Rs. 2,000 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Growth in the Horticulture Sector:
- India’s total horticulture production increased significantly from 240.53 million metric tonnes in 2010-11 to 334.60 million metric tonnes in 2020-21.
- India is the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, with horticulture production exceeding food grain output.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/midh-guidelines-cost-norms-9643177/
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