Source: IE
Context: The Union Government has decided to expand the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) by incorporating advanced agricultural techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture.
- This move aims to modernize horticulture practices, increase productivity, and address requests from various states for updated cost norms and guidelines.
About Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):
- Origin: Launched by the Government of India, MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) established to promote the horticulture sector.
- Ministry: Implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Aim: Focuses on the holistic growth of horticulture through support for production, post-harvest management, and marketing of diverse horticulture crops.
- Sub-schemes:
- National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
- Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP)
- Technology Mission for Development in NE States, Sikkim, and J&K
- National Bamboo Mission
- Coconut Development Board
- Mission for Integrated Development of Medicinal Plants (MIDMP)
Additional information:
- Hydroponics: A soil-free cultivation method where plants grow in nutrient-rich water solutions, allowing for controlled environment agriculture and higher yields in limited spaces.
- Aquaponics: A combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, where fish waste provides nutrients for plants grown in water, and the plants, in turn, purify the water for the fish.
- Vertical Farming: An innovative approach to farming in stacked layers, typically indoors, using LED lighting and controlled environments to maximize crop output in urban or limited spaces.
- Precision Agriculture: A technology-driven approach to optimize crop yields by using data analysis, GPS, and IoT tools to monitor and manage farming inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides with high accuracy.
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