Role of Agencies in the National Horticulture Mission

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is a flagship programme of the Government of India, launched in 2005–06 under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture. The mission aims to promote integrated development of the horticulture sector — encompassing fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, medicinal plants, and mushrooms — to enhance productivity, improve nutritional security, and increase farmers’ income.
The success of NHM relies on the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies functioning at national, state, and district levels, as well as collaboration with research institutions, financial organisations, and private stakeholders. These agencies play distinct yet interconnected roles in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the mission’s activities.

Objectives of the National Horticulture Mission

• To promote holistic development of the horticulture sector.
• To enhance production and productivity of horticultural crops.
• To strengthen post-harvest management, including storage, marketing, and processing.
• To provide technical support, capacity building, and infrastructure development.
• To encourage public–private partnerships (PPP) in horticultural growth.

Institutional Framework of the NHM

The mission operates through a three-tier structure comprising agencies at the National Level, State Level, and District Level, supported by research and financial institutions.

1. National Level Agencies

The national-level agencies are responsible for policy formulation, funding, coordination, and overall supervision of the mission.

(a) Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)

• Serves as the nodal department for implementing NHM.
• Provides policy direction, administrative support, and budgetary allocation.
• Coordinates with other ministries, departments, and international organisations to ensure convergence of schemes.
• Oversees integration of NHM with allied programmes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

(b) National Horticulture Board (NHB)

• Plays a key role in promoting commercial horticulture and post-harvest infrastructure.
• Provides financial assistance for setting up cold storages, ripening chambers, pack houses, and market linkages.
• Supports nursery accreditation, quality planting material, and high-tech horticulture projects.
• Functions as a bridge between the government and private sector investors.

(c) Horticulture Division of the Ministry of Agriculture

• Responsible for formulating operational guidelines, setting physical and financial targets, and monitoring outcomes.
• Allocates central assistance to states based on performance and proposals.
• Reviews the progress of implementation through regular meetings and field visits.

(d) National Committee on Horticulture (NCH)

• Acts as the apex policy-making body under NHM.
• Approves annual action plans, state proposals, and modifications to operational guidelines.
• Ensures inter-ministerial coordination, especially with departments related to food processing, rural development, and commerce.

(e) National Horticulture Mission Directorate (NHMD)

• Functions as the executive arm of the mission under the DA&FW.
• Responsible for coordination, fund release, capacity building, and evaluation.
• Maintains a Management Information System (MIS) for real-time monitoring.

(f) National Research Institutions and Organisations

• Institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) contribute by developing improved crop varieties, pest management practices, and production technologies.
• The Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), and other ICAR institutes provide research and technical support for specific crops and regions.

2. State Level Agencies

At the state level, the mission is implemented through State Horticulture Missions (SHMs), which are registered societies or autonomous bodies under the state departments of horticulture or agriculture.

(a) State Horticulture Mission (SHM)

• Serves as the State-level implementing agency for NHM.
• Prepares State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) based on local priorities, resource potential, and area-specific crops.
• Coordinates with District Mission Committees, research centres, and extension agencies.
• Supervises the execution of projects on nursery development, area expansion, integrated pest management (IPM), post-harvest management, and marketing infrastructure.
• Ensures monitoring, evaluation, and fund utilisation in line with NHM guidelines.

(b) State Department of Horticulture / Agriculture

• Provides administrative support and ensures convergence with state agricultural schemes.
• Deploys field-level officers for technical guidance and beneficiary selection.
• Promotes cluster-based development for specific horticultural crops.

(c) State-Level Coordination Committee (SLCC)

• Headed by the Chief Secretary or Agriculture Secretary, this committee reviews implementation and resolves inter-departmental issues.
• Approves and monitors the progress of projects across districts.

(d) State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Research Stations

• Provide scientific input for region-specific horticultural crops.
• Conduct field demonstrations, trials, and farmer training.
• Assist in the development of seed and planting material production systems.

(e) State Finance Department and Agricultural Marketing Boards

• Facilitate timely release of funds to implementing agencies.
• Support infrastructure for marketing, grading, and cold chain development.

3. District Level Agencies

The district-level agencies ensure grassroots implementation, direct support to farmers, and feedback for higher authorities.

(a) District Mission Committee (DMC)

• Headed by the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner, the DMC oversees planning and implementation at the district level.
• Identifies potential clusters for crop-specific development.
• Monitors the performance of beneficiaries, implementing agencies, and contractors.

(b) District Horticulture Officer (DHO) / District Agricultural Officer (DAO)**

• Acts as the field-level implementing authority.
• Mobilises farmers, verifies project proposals, and conducts on-site inspections.
• Coordinates training, demonstration, and extension activities.
• Maintains progress records and submits reports to the State Horticulture Mission.

(c) Local Bodies and Farmer Organisations

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) play a role in beneficiary identification and community mobilisation.
• Facilitate collective marketing, input supply, and capacity building.

4. Supporting Agencies and Stakeholders

(a) Financial Institutions and Banks

• Provide credit support to beneficiaries under the NHM framework.
• Facilitate linkage between subsidy assistance and term loans.
• Ensure compliance with government financial norms and repayment schedules.

(b) Private Sector and NGOs

• Engage in setting up nurseries, cold storages, and processing units under public–private partnership (PPP) models.
• NGOs assist in training, awareness generation, and technology dissemination.

(c) Agricultural and Horticultural Research Bodies

• Provide technical backstopping through improved crop varieties, production techniques, and pest control methods.
• Institutions such as NABARD, ICAR, and National Horticulture Board collaborate to strengthen infrastructure.

(d) Marketing and Processing Agencies

• Organisations like Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) assist in market access, value addition, and exports.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism

A robust multi-level monitoring system ensures accountability and transparency:

• National Level: NHM Directorate conducts periodic reviews and independent evaluations.
• State Level: SHMs prepare quarterly progress reports and financial statements.
• District Level: Field inspections and beneficiary verification ensure proper implementation.
• Third-Party Evaluation: Independent agencies assess impact and suggest policy improvements.

6. Integration with Other Missions and Schemes

Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) (2014 onwards), the NHM functions as a sub-mission for non-North Eastern states, integrating other schemes such as:

• Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)
• National Horticulture Board (NHB) programmes
• Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH) schemes

This integration ensures synergy, avoids duplication, and maximises impact across India’s horticulture landscape.