Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH)

Introduction

The North Eastern (NE) and Himalayan regions of India are endowed with unique agro-climatic conditions that are highly favorable for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants. Despite this potential, horticulture in these regions has remained underdeveloped due to poor infrastructure, limited technology access, and inadequate marketing facilities.

To address these challenges and promote holistic horticultural development, the Government of India launched the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH). This centrally sponsored scheme aims to enhance production, productivity, and income of farmers, while ensuring sustainable development, employment generation, and food and nutritional security in the hilly and remote areas of India.

Background and History

• The NE and Himalayan states are home to a diverse range of horticultural crops including oranges, apples, pineapples, cardamom, ginger, orchids, and other exotic crops.
  
  
• Historically, hilly terrains, poor connectivity, and fragmented landholdings hindered large-scale adoption of modern horticultural practices.
  
  
• Recognizing the need for a region-specific mission, the Government of India launched HMNEH in 2001–02, under the umbrella of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), specifically tailored for the unique conditions of the North East and Himalayan regions.
  
  
• The mission integrates ongoing horticulture development schemes, including post-harvest management, processing, marketing, and extension services, with a focus on climate-resilient and sustainable practices.

Objectives of HMNEH

The primary objectives of the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States are as follows:

1. Increase Horticultural Production and Productivity
   • Promote cultivation of region-specific fruits, vegetables, spices, and floriculture crops.
   • Introduce high-yielding varieties, hybrids, and improved planting material.
     
     
2. Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Development
   • Encourage organic farming, integrated pest management, and water-efficient irrigation.
   • Promote eco-friendly horticultural practices suitable for hilly and fragile ecosystems.
     
     
3. Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition
   • Establish cold storage, pack houses, and primary processing units.
   • Reduce post-harvest losses and improve marketability.
     
     
4. Market Development and Trade Promotion
   • Facilitate linkages between farmers and urban or export markets.
   • Support branding, GI-tagging, and e-market integration.
     
     
5. Rural Employment and Livelihood Generation
   • Create opportunities in cultivation, processing, and horticulture-based enterprises, especially for women and youth.
     
     
6. Technology Promotion and Extension Services
   • Disseminate modern technologies, cultivation practices, and post-harvest techniques.
   • Train farmers and cooperatives through workshops, demonstration farms, and exposure visits.
     
     
7. Regional Diversification
   • Focus on specialty crops of North East and Himalayan regions, promoting exotic and high-value horticultural products.

Components of HMNEH

The Horticulture Mission for NE and Himalayan States is structured to address all stages of the horticulture value chain:

1. Production and Productivity Enhancement

• Promotion of high-yielding varieties, tissue-cultured plants, and improved planting materials.
  
  
• Establishment of model nurseries and community nurseries.
  
  
• Soil health improvement and balanced nutrient management.
  
  
• Support for protected cultivation (greenhouses, polyhouses) for high-value crops.

2. Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition

• Development of cold storage, reefer vans, pack houses, and primary processing units.
• Training in grading, packaging, and quality control.
• Support for processing units producing jams, juices, spices, and dried products.

3. Technology Promotion and Extension Services

• Introduction of micro-irrigation, fertigation, and integrated pest management.
• Demonstration farms and model orchards to showcase best practices.
• Knowledge dissemination through training programs, workshops, and farmer field schools.

4. Marketing Development

• Establishment of farmers’ markets, wholesale markets, and rural marketing centers.
• Assistance for branding, labeling, and e-NAM integration.
• Promotion of export potential crops like orchids, spices, and exotic fruits.

5. Infrastructure Development

• Construction of nurseries, cold storage, pack houses, and processing facilities.
• Development of rural roads and transport networks to improve market access.

6. Human Resource Development

• Skill development programs for farmers, women self-help groups, and rural youth.
• Capacity building in agri-business, horticulture processing, and marketing strategies.

Target Crops under HMNEH

The mission focuses on region-specific high-value crops, including:

1. Fruits – Orange, Pineapple, Apple, Kiwi, Banana, Citrus, Litchi, Passion Fruit.
2. Vegetables – Tomato, Potato, Cabbage, Capsicum, Leafy Vegetables, Exotic Vegetables.
3. Spices – Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Chilli.
4. Floriculture – Orchid, Gladiolus, Rose, Anthurium, Gerbera.
5. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Aloe Vera, Stevia, Tulsi, and other regional species.
6. Other Specialty Crops – Bamboo, Tea, and minor horticultural crops relevant to hilly terrains.

Implementation Mechanism

1. Central-State Collaboration
   • HMNEH is a centrally sponsored scheme, with funding shared between central and state governments (usually 90:10 for NE states and 60:40 for Himalayan states).
     
     
   • States prepare annual action plans tailored to regional conditions and priorities.
     
     
2. State Horticulture Missions (SHMs)
   • SHMs implement the mission at state level, coordinate with districts, and oversee fund utilization.
     
     
   • Identification of priority crops and districts is a key responsibility of SHMs.
     
     
3. District-Level Implementation
   • District horticulture officers coordinate farmer participation, crop selection, and project execution.
     
     
4. Financial Support and Incentives
   • Subsidies for planting materials, irrigation, polyhouses, cold storage, and processing units.
     
     
   • Special focus on organic certification, GI tagging, and technology adoption.
     
     
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Monitoring by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, SHMs, and district officials.
   • Use of MIS, field inspections, and yield assessment studies to track performance.

Achievements and Impact

1. Increase in Production and Productivity
   • Significant increase in fruit, vegetable, and spice yields in NE and Himalayan states.
   • Introduction of high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties.
     
     
2. Post-Harvest Loss Reduction
   • Establishment of cold storage chains and pack houses has reduced wastage.
   • Improved grading, packaging, and primary processing facilities.
     
     
3. Employment and Livelihood Creation
   • Thousands of jobs created in nurseries, orchards, processing units, and marketing.
   • Women and youth empowered through horticulture-based micro-enterprises.
     
     
4. Promotion of Technology Adoption
   • Widespread adoption of protected cultivation, drip irrigation, fertigation, and integrated pest management.
     
     
5. Market Development and Trade
   • Improved linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and urban/export markets.
   • Promotion of high-value crops like orchids, kiwi, and cardamom for domestic and export markets.
     
     
6. Food Security and Nutrition
   • Enhanced availability of fruits, vegetables, and spices, contributing to better nutrition.

Challenges in HMNEH Implementation

1. Fragmented and Hilly Land Holdings
   • Small and scattered land parcels complicate mechanization and efficient cultivation.
     
     
2. Infrastructure Deficits
   • Limited cold storage, processing, and transport facilities in remote and hilly areas.
     
     
3. Climate Vulnerability
   • Horticultural crops in NE and Himalayan regions are susceptible to frost, heavy rainfall, landslides, and pest attacks.
     
     
4. Awareness and Training Gaps
   • Limited knowledge of modern cultivation techniques, organic farming, and post-harvest practices.
     
     
5. Market Access and Price Risks
   • Poor connectivity leads to delayed marketing, price fluctuations, and reduced profitability.
     
     
6. Financial Constraints
   • High cost of modern inputs, infrastructure, and technology adoption for small farmers.

Future Prospects of HMNEH

1. Digital and Precision Horticulture
   • Adoption of IoT, drones, GIS, and mobile apps for crop monitoring, pest management, and yield prediction.
     
     
2. Expansion of Protected Cultivation
   • Greater use of polyhouses, greenhouses, and shade nets for high-value crops.
     
     
3. Organic and Climate-Smart Practices
   • Promotion of organic certification, biofertilizers, integrated pest management, and sustainable water management.
     
     
4. Skill Development and Rural Entrepreneurship
   • Training youth and women in horticulture-based micro-enterprises, processing, and marketing.
     
     
5. Market Development and Export Promotion
   • Strengthening rural-urban supply chains, e-NAM integration, and export of specialty crops.
     
     
6. Research and Innovation
   • Development of climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties and improved post-harvest technologies.
     
     
7. Integration with Other Government Programs
   • Linking HMNEH with National Bamboo Mission, National Horticulture Mission, and agroforestry schemes for holistic rural development.

Conclusion

The Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) is a critical initiative to unlock the immense horticultural potential of India’s hilly and remote regions. By focusing on production, productivity, value addition, marketing, and technology adoption, the mission addresses the entire horticulture value chain.

Despite challenges such as fragmented landholdings, infrastructure gaps, and climatic risks, HMNEH has significantly improved farmer incomes, employment opportunities, and food and nutritional security. With continued technology adoption, skill development, market linkages, and policy support, HMNEH has the potential to make NE and Himalayan states leaders in high-value horticultural production, contributing to sustainable rural development and national food security.