POLICY INITIATIVE

National Horticulture Mission

         Recognizing the importance of horticulture sector in the growth of Indian agriculture, Honourable Finance Minister announced launching of National Horticulture Mission in his budget speech on July 8, 2004. The horticulture sector includes fruit, vegetables, spices, medicinal & aromatic plants, flowers, mushroom and a variety of plantation crops like coconut, arecanut, cashewnut and cocoa which has been contributing significantly to the GDP in agriculture (28.5 per cent from 8.5 per cent area).The Mission is in the process of being set up. The objectives of the National Horticulture Mission will be Doubling the horticulture production, i.e. to achieve a production of 300 million tonnes by 2011-12.

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