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?

Boosting Production and Productivity

The NHM significantly contributed to increasing the production and productivity of horticultural crops. Key interventions included:

• Area Expansion: The mission incentivized the expansion of area under horticulture, particularly fruits like mango, citrus, banana, and vegetables like tomato, onion, and potato.
• Technology Transfer: Promotion of improved varieties, micro-irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), protected cultivation (polyhouses, net houses), and tissue culture techniques enhanced productivity.
• Infrastructure Development: Support for establishing cold storage facilities, grading and packing units, and rural godowns reduced post-harvest losses and improved quality.
• Training and Capacity Building: Farmers were provided training on modern horticultural practices, pest and disease management, and marketing strategies.

According to the National Horticulture Database (as of 2021-22, knowledge cutoff), India’s horticultural production increased from 207.2 million tonnes in 2005-06 to 333.25 million tonnes in 2021-22. Productivity also witnessed a rise in several crops due to the adoption of improved technologies.

Impact on Farmer Income

The impact of NHM on farmer income is more nuanced. While production and productivity increased, translating this into higher income for farmers faced several challenges:

• Market Linkages: Lack of strong market linkages and dependence on intermediaries often resulted in farmers receiving a lower share of the final consumer price.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Despite infrastructure development, significant post-harvest losses continued to erode farmer income, particularly for perishable crops.
• Small Landholdings: Fragmented landholdings limited the economies of scale and hindered the adoption of advanced technologies.
• Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns and climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods, affected crop yields and farmer income.

Data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) indicates that while the average income of agricultural households increased between 2005-06 and 2018-19, the share of income from horticulture remained relatively small compared to other sources like wages and non-farm activities. However, farmers who actively participated in NHM programs and adopted improved technologies generally experienced higher income gains.

Evaluating the Success of NHM

The NHM achieved considerable success in boosting horticultural production and productivity. However, its success in increasing farmer income was limited by several factors. The mission’s focus was largely on the supply side, with less emphasis on strengthening market linkages and ensuring fair prices for farmers. The HMIDH, the successor to NHM, attempts to address these shortcomings by incorporating components like value addition, branding, and market promotion.

Aspect	NHM (2005-2017)	HMIDH (2017-Present)
Focus	Production & Productivity	Integrated Development (Production, Post-harvest, Marketing)
Market Linkages	Limited	Increased emphasis on value addition & market promotion
Climate Resilience	Moderate	Greater focus on climate-resilient technologies

Furthermore, effective implementation and monitoring of the mission at the grassroots level were crucial for achieving its objectives. Variations in implementation across states and inadequate farmer awareness also posed challenges.