India Revamps National Horticulture Mission to Boost Farmers’ Income

The Government of India has taken significant steps to enhance the horticulture sector with an upgraded National Horticulture Mission (NHM). Initially launched in 2004-05, the NHM was restructured in 2014-15 under the broader Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). This initiative aims to support the comprehensive growth of horticulture across the nation. Now, in 2025, the MIDH has been restructured again with new operational guidelines that promote not only traditional crops but also high-value, exotic, and medicinal varieties, encouraging the use of innovative technologies.

To further safeguard farmers’ interests, the government has implemented the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) aimed at providing fair prices for perishable agricultural products. This is particularly relevant for crops that do not fall under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. The MIS intends to shield farmers from distress sales during peak harvest times when market prices can plummet.

New Features of Market Intervention Scheme

Among the enhancements to the MIS is the introduction of the Price Differential Payment (PDP) scheme. This allows direct payments to farmers based on the difference between the Market Intervention Price (MIP) and the local selling price of their crops in Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) mandis. This direct payment system ensures that farmers receive timely financial support, helping them maintain economic stability.

Furthermore, the government will reimburse expenses for transporting and storing essential crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes (often referred to as TOP crops). Central nodal agencies and state-designated bodies are responsible for facilitating the movement of these crops from producing states to areas with high consumption demand. This initiative is designed to streamline logistics and ensure that farmers can access fair market prices regardless of regional disparities.

These initiatives and developments were communicated by Shri Ramnath Thakur, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, during a recent Lok Sabha session. He highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of farmers while ensuring that the horticulture sector remains vibrant and sustainable.

Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.

Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn