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? (250 words)

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare with the aim to develop horticulture in the country, enhance the productivity and quality of horticulture crops, and increase the income of farmers.

Role of National Horticulture Mission: NHM has played a vital role in promoting horticulture in India by implementing various programs and initiatives, some of which are listed below:

Integrated Development of Horticulture (IDH) – NHM has implemented IDH, which is aimed at promoting horticulture by integrating production, processing, and marketing activities.
Technology Transfer – NHM has facilitated the transfer of technology and technical knowledge from research institutions to farmers through training programs and demonstrations.
Horticulture Marketing – NHM has developed horticulture markets in various states to provide farmers with a direct link to consumers, thereby increasing their income.
Capacity Building – NHM has focused on capacity building of farmers by organizing training programs on various aspects of horticulture, such as production, post-harvest management, and marketing.

Success of NHM in increasing farmers’ income: NHM has been successful in increasing the income of farmers to a certain extent. The following points highlight the success of NHM in this regard:

Increase in horticulture production – The production of horticulture crops has increased substantially since the launch of NHM. For instance, the production of fruits has increased from 43.5 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 97.4 million tonnes in 2019-20.
Diversification of crops – NHM has encouraged farmers to diversify their crops by promoting the cultivation of high-value crops, such as vegetables and fruits. This has helped farmers to earn more income by selling these crops in the market.
Increase in exports – NHM has facilitated the export of horticulture crops by improving the quality of the produce and providing support for export-related activities. This has helped farmers to earn more income by selling their produce in the international market.

In conclusion, NHM has played a significant role in promoting horticulture in India and has been successful in increasing the income of farmers to a certain extent. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in this regard, and NHM needs to focus on developing a more comprehensive strategy to enhance the productivity and income of horticulture farms in the country.