Overview of Horticulture & Fisheries Sectors in India

Horticulture and Fisheries are vital sub-sectors of Indian agriculture, contributing significantly to food security, nutritional needs, employment generation, and economic growth. The Government of India has launched several schemes to harness the full potential of these sectors, focusing on integrated development, infrastructure creation, technology adoption, and value chain management.

1. Horticulture Schemes

Promoting Holistic Growth of the Horticulture Sector

Horticulture encompasses the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices, and plantation crops. Government schemes aim to boost production, improve quality, and enhance post-harvest management.

a. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• Objective: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector, covering various crops including fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, medicinal & aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo.
• Components: MIDH comprises several sub-schemes:
  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
  • Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH)
  • National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
  • Coconut Development Board (CDB)
  • Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH)
• Funding Pattern: For most states, the Government of India contributes 60% of the total outlay, and State Governments contribute 40%. For North Eastern and Himalayan States, the Central Government contributes 90%.
• Benefits: Supports production of quality planting material, area expansion, rejuvenation of senile plantations, creation of water sources, protected cultivation, beekeeping, mechanization, post-harvest management, and establishment of market infrastructure. Also focuses on skill development and employment generation.
• Eligibility: Farmers, farmer groups (FIGs/FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperative Societies, NGOs, Public Sector Agencies, and Private Sector entities are eligible for various components. Specific criteria may apply per component and state.
• Application: Through State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) or relevant state agriculture/horticulture departments.

b. Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)

• Objective: A Central Sector Programme implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.
• Focus: Addresses major issues across the entire value chain, including pre-production, production, post-harvest management, logistics, marketing, and branding.
• Benefits: Aims to improve exports of targeted crops by about 20% and create cluster-specific brands. Promotes geographical specialization and integrated, market-led development.
• Implementation: Implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in identified horticulture clusters across the country.

Resources for Horticulture Schemes:

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): midh.gov.in
• National Horticulture Board (NHB): nhb.gov.in
• Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Horticulture Division): agriwelfare.gov.in/en/Guidehorticulture

2. Fisheries Schemes

Driving the Blue Revolution for Sustainable Fisheries

The fisheries sector is crucial for food security, livelihood, and foreign exchange earnings. Government initiatives focus on increasing fish production, improving infrastructure, and ensuring the welfare of fishers and fish farmers.

a. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Objective: A flagship scheme launched in 2020 to bring about the 'Blue Revolution' through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector. It aims for holistic development, including the welfare of fishers and fish farmers.
• Investment: Total estimated investment of ₹20,050 crore for a period of five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25).
• Components:
  • Central Sector Scheme (CS): Fully funded by the Central Government.
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): Partially funded by the Central Government and implemented by states.
• Benefits:
  • Enhancement of fish production and productivity (target: 22 million metric tons by 2024-25).
  • Modernization and strengthening of the value chain, including post-harvest management and quality improvement.
  • Doubling of fishers' and fish farmers' incomes and generation of meaningful employment.
  • Financial assistance for fishing infrastructure (harbors, landing centers, markets, processing units).
  • Support for fish farmers (ponds, cages, hatcheries, nurseries).
  • Social security for fishers (insurance, livelihood support during ban periods).
  • Extension of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers.
• Eligibility: Fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors, Fisheries Development Corporations, SHGs/JLGs in the fisheries sector, Fisheries Cooperatives, Entrepreneurs, private firms, FFPOs/Cs, SCs/STs/Women, State Governments/UTs and their entities.
• Application: Through State Fisheries Departments, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), or relevant government agencies.

b. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

• Objective: Launched in 2018-19, FIDF aims to provide concessional finance for the development of various fisheries infrastructure facilities.
• Fund Size: Total fund size of ₹7522.48 crore.
• Benefits: Provides interest subvention (up to 3% per annum) to Eligible Entities (EEs) for creating fisheries infrastructure facilities, including:
  • Fishing harbors and fish landing centers.
  • Fish processing and preservation facilities.
  • Fish feed plants and fish seed farms.
  • Modernization of fishing vessels.
  This attracts private investment and creates employment opportunities.
• Eligible Entities: State Governments/Union Territories, State entities, Cooperatives, Federations, Entrepreneurs, and individual beneficiaries.
• Implementation: Managed by the Department of Fisheries, with Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) like NABARD providing the concessional finance.

Resources for Fisheries Schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): pmmsy.dof.gov.in (or nfdb.gov.in/welcome/pmmsy_guidelines for guidelines)
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): nfdb.gov.in
• Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying: fisheries.gov.in

General Application Process & Important Notes

For both Horticulture and Fisheries schemes, the application process generally involves:

1. Identifying the Right Scheme: Based on your specific activity (e.g., fruit cultivation, fish farming, cold storage setup) and eligibility.
2. Contacting State Department/Implementing Agency: Reach out to the State Horticulture Mission, State Fisheries Department, or National Fisheries Development Board for detailed guidelines and application forms.
3. Preparing Project Proposal/DPR: For infrastructure-heavy schemes, a detailed project report (DPR) might be required.
4. Submitting Application: Submit the filled application form along with all necessary documents (land records, identity proof, project details, bank details, etc.).
5. Verification & Approval: The application undergoes verification and approval by the concerned authorities.
6. Fund Disbursement: Upon approval, financial assistance (subsidy, loan, etc.) is disbursed as per the scheme's norms.

Always refer to the latest operational guidelines for each scheme, as they may be updated periodically. State-specific rules and additional benefits may also apply.