Title:

National Horticulture Board Schemes

Type:

Central Sector

Objectives:

·        Develop high quality horticulture farms in identified belts and make such areas vibrant with horticultural activity which in turn will act as hubs for developing commercial horticulture.

·        Develop  post-harvest management infrastructure

·        Strengthen Market Information System and horticulture database.

·        Assist R&D programmes to develop products suited for specific varieties with improved methods and horticulture technology.

·        Provide training and education to farmers and processing industry personnel for improvement agronomic practices and new technologies.

·        Promote consumption of fruits / vegetables in fresh and processed form.

 

Salient Features/ Components

The schemes implemented through NHB include:

 

·        Development of Commercial horticulture through production and  post-harvest  management

·        Capital investment subsidy scheme for construction/expansion/Modernization of cold storages for horticulture produce

·        Technology development and transfer

·        Establishment of Nutritional Gardens in Rural Areas

·        Market information service for Horticulture crops

·        Horticulture promotion service

Scheme

Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management

i) Production Related

ii) PHM/ Processing related

Component

High quality commercial horticulture crops

Indigenous crops/produce, herbs

Aromatic & Medicinal Plants

Seed & Nursery

Biotechnology, Tissue Culture

Bio-pesticides

Organic Foods

Primary processing of products

Estt. Of Hort. Health Clinics/ Laboratory(For Agri/Horti unemployed graduates)

Consultancy Services

Bee-keeping.

Grading/ /Washing/Sorting/Drying/ Packing centers

Pre-cooling Unit/Cool Stores

Refer Van/Containers

Sp.Transport Vehicle

Retail Outlets

Auction Platform

Ripening curing chamber

Market yard/rope ways

Processing unit/ Radiation unit/VHT unit

Hort. Ancillary industry e.g. tools, equipment, plastics, packaging etc.

Crates, Cartons, Aseptic Packaging Nets (50% subsidy)

 

Pattern of Assistance

Back-ended capital subsidy not exceeding 20% of the project cost with a maximum limit of Rs 25 lakh per project. For the North-Eastern/ Tribal/Hilly Areas, maximum limit of subsidy would be Rs 30.00 lakh per project

 

The subsidy to be released to the leading participating leading Financial Institution on the completion of project as in the case of cold storage projects approved by the Government.

 

For projects in the cooperative sector funded by NCDC, the subsidy would be through NCDC

 

Scheme

Capital Investment Subsidy for construction/expansion/ modernization of cold storage/ storages for horticulture produce

 

Pattern of Assistance

    Projects upto a capacity of 5000 MT with an average cost of Rs.2 crore (Rs. 4000/MT) would be promoted for wider dispersal, which includes expansion of existing capacity (including CA/M.A. stores/Pre-cooling units).

 

In case of modernisation and rehabilitation, subsidy @ 25% of the capital cost will be determined @ Rs. 1000/MT capacity created

For other storages, subsidy @ 25% of the capital cost is to be determined @ Rs 2000/MT capacity created to be created.

25% promoters’ contribution

50% term loan by banks at PLR+1% through NABARD refinance

Banks not availing refinance may also finance such projects with the overall operational guidelines of Govt. of India

25% back-ended capital investment subsidy by NHB not exceeding Rs 50.00 lakh per project. North-Eastern States, maximum subsidy admissible would be @ 33.1/3/% upto Rs.60.00 lakh.

The Subsidy would flow from NHB and operated by NABARD, through commercial/cooperative banks, and by NCDC where cooperatives seek loan from NCDC

Wherever term loans are not raised from institutional sources and the promoters fund

Projects entirely through internal resource generation, NHB would provide subsidy directly

The emphasis shall be laid on the following points

Reducing PHM losses with multi-chamber and multi-product facilities;

Modern Design/Technology and Energy Saving Equipment’s/Devices to be adopted to avoid obsolescence of machinery, etc.

Improvement in technology like shifting from Diffuser system to Gravity cooling System/Fincoil system, etc.

This scheme will be implemented only in those States/UT’s/Area which do not control rentals for cold storages.

The respective Banks/FI’s/NCDC/NABARD, etc, will adhere to their own appraisal norms.

Scheme/

Component

Technology Development and Transfer

Introduction of New Technologies

Visit of progressive farmers

Experts Services from India/ Abroad

Technology Awareness

Organisation/participation in seminars etc.

Udyan Pandit

Publicity

Observation-cum-study tours abroad

Honorarium to Scientists for effective transfer of technology.

Pattern of Assistance

100% financial assistance upto Rs 10 lacs/project for production related and upto Rs.25.00 lakh to R&D efforts

2nd Class Sleeper Rail/ ordinary bus fare and Rs 100/day/farmer for a group of 30 farmers

Actual basis

Upto Rs 50,000/seminar

Upto Rs 3.00 lakh for State, Rs 5.00 lakh for National and Rs 10.00 lakhs International event

Rs 1.50 lakh

On merit

On actual basis

Upto Rs 20,000/- for each expert upto 5 experts/ project

Scheme/

Component

Generate information on wholesale prices, arrivals and trends in various markets for horticulture produce and

Dissemination of information through media and publications.

Pattern of Assistance

To assist farmers, Exporters, dealers, research organisation etc

Scheme/

Component

Establishment of Nutritional Gardens in Rural Areas

Distribution of fruits plants and vegetable seeds in Minikits

Zero Energy Cool Chambers

Demonstration

Pattern of Assistance

Rs 250/minikit/family

Rs.2500/zero energy cool chamber per school/ village in a panchayat selected for the demonstration

Upto Rs.5000/- per school/panchayat selected for Demonstration

Scheme/

Component

Horticulture Promotion Service

Techno-Economic Feasibility Studies to review the present status of horticulture development in particular area/state

Identify constraints and suggest remedial measures

Develop short term & loan term strategies

Provide consultancy services and expert services

Pattern of Assistance

Studies through Professional Consultants

100% financial assistance

 

Eligibility

The eligible promoters under the above schemes include NGO’s, Association of Growers, Individuals, Partnership/Proprietary Firms Companies, Corporations, Cooperatives, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees, Marketing Boards/Committees, Municipal Corporations/Committees, Agro-Industries Corporations, SAU’s and other concerned R&D organizations. However Individuals, SAU’s and other concerned R&D organizations are not eligible for the cold storage capital subsidy scheme.

 

 

Person to be contacted:

The Horticulture Commissioner,
Horticulture Division
Department of Agriculture  & Cooperation,
Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.
 

The Executive Director,
National Horticulture Board,
85 Institutional Area, Sector 18,
Gurgaon, Haryana.

Date of Start/duration:

IX Plan, with effect from 2000-01

Implementation status:

Programme is continuing