program efficiency, and facilitate ti delivery to farmers. The horticulture sector in India blooms with vibrancy, playing a crucial role in enriching lives and economies. Significance Q Nutritional Bounty: From juicy fruits and crisp vegetables to fragrant flowers and nuts, horticulture provides diverse and essential nutrients for millions, contributing to food security and well-being. Q Livelihood Blossoms: It nurtures countless livelihoods, directly employing over 15 million people in cultivation, processing, and allied industries, empowering rural communities and driving economic growth. O Export Flourish: India ranks among the leading exporters of horticultural products, earning valuable foreign exchange and boosting national prosperity. QO Environmental Enhancer: Horticulture fosters green spaces, improves air quality, and promotes biodiversity, contributing to a healthier planet. Composition Q Fruits: Mangoes, bananas, grapes, and apples are just a few of the vibrant tapestry of fruits grown in India, delighting taste buds and providing vital vitamins.¢ and resilience strategies. ‘Losses: Inadequate ~ hindering profitability and food sec stability. Resource Constraints: Limited access to water, land, ‘and technology can hinder productivity and growth, i ‘especially for small-scale farmers, Opportunities D Technology Adoption: Embracing precision agriculture, ‘smart irrigation systems, and disease-resistant varieties can enhance productivity and resilience. O Value Addition: Processing and creating value-added Products like jams, juices, and dried fruits can increase Profitability and reduce post-harvest losses, O Cold Chain Development: Expanding cold chain infrastructure across the country can minimise spoilage, ensure fresher produce, and widen market reach. G Brand Building: Promoting unique horticultural products like Alphonso mangoes and Darjeeling tea can build brand recognition and fetch premium prices. Government Initiatives The Indian government nurtures the sector: through various initiatives: Mission for integrated Development of Horticulture (MID): Focuses on infrastructure development, technology adoption, and market access, a pears Pevelopment in Horticulture: Enhances skills and knowledge of farmers for better production and management practices, 9 Kisan Credit Card scheme: Provides acce: , horticulture farmers and e 85 to credit for ntrepreneurs, cems: Erratic weather patterns, droughts, ‘pose challenges for cultivation, requiring storage facilities lead to substantial losses of produce, ‘Gl Market Fluctuations: Fluctuating prices and dependence ‘on middlemen can impact farmer income and market or the: However, for the N¢ ri as 100%, The remaining co: governments. Objectives of MIDH 2 Formation of Farmer Groups: ‘on forming groups like FIGS, helps farmers work together effi horticulture production, improve in better nutrition. one Boosting Productivity: By using high-qual efficient water usage, the scheme aims the productivity of horticultural crops. Q skill Development and Employment: training and job creation for young peo} like horticulture, handling crops after hi cold chain sector. ~ Mi Capacity Building: The scheme also involves: farmers to use advanced technology. This | through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, state ‘Sub-Missions of MIDH National Horticulture Mission (NHM): This { ‘on improving horticulture in 18 States and 6) Territories, managed by State Horticulture Missh Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan: (HMNEH): This mission aims to develop hortit specifically in the North East and Himalayan state National Horticulture Board (NHB): The NHB various horticulture-related projects across alll States and Union Territories, Coconut Development Board (CDB): The CDB fo on enhancing coconut cultivation in all the et Browing states in India, Central Institute for in Nagaland in 2006 Support to farmers Eastern Region, Strategies of MIDH End-to-| Horticulture (CIM): Establ -07, CIH provides trai and field workers in th