Shri Radha Mohan Singh Releases Horticultural Statistics In order to provide detailed information on horticulture crops, Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh Radha Mohan Singh released Horticultural Statistics at a Glance 2015" brought out by Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare first time here today. This publication presents a comprehensive picture of the Indian horticulture sector by using statistical data across states, districts and time periods, covering diverse aspects such as area, production, productivity, growth trends, percentage share, value of output and so on for major horticultural crops. Other aspects covered are outlays and expenditure under horticultural activities; monthly series of prices and arrivals over past year in respect of onion, potato and tomato; inputs for horticultural crops; exports and imports; infrastructure availability; Indias position in world scenario of horticulture production and so on. Releasing the first issue of statistics the publication on horticulture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said the data will help policy planners, farmers and other stake holders..He has said that horticulture sector has been gaining prominence during the past few years. To strengthen and develop timely and reliabile database the Government has taken a number of steps. Following are the recent initiatives taken by the Government to promote the horticulture sector: Launched a Programme in September, 2014 called Coordinated Programme on Horticulture Assessment and MAnagement using geoiNformatics (CHAMAN) under which scientific methodologies of Remote Sensing and Sample Survey is being used for assessment of area and production of major horticulture crops. During the first year, i.e. 2013-14, MNCFC has completed the data collection, field work and analysis and have provided estimates through Remote Sensing technology for Onion, Potato, Tomato and Chilli for limited districts in major producing states. IASRI has completed the preliminary activities required for conducting the field work during 2013-14 and have provided training to Field Investigators in 4 out of Six states where the field work has started. The estimates, using Sample Survey methodology, would come only after completion of one year, i.e. by the end of 2015-16,. Launched a Programme called Horticulture Area and Production Information System (HAPIS) in February, 2015. This is a web portal for online submission of district level data pertaining to area and production of horticulture crops. Four trainings have been provided to all the States through video conferencing and 25 States have started submitting District level data regarding Area and production online through HAPIS. In order to provide impetus to the horticulture sector, several initiatives have been taken by the Government. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented during XII Plan, through six sub-schemes, viz. NHM, HMNEH, NBM, NHB, CDB and CIH, with distinct budget provision, mandate and area of operation. The interventions under MIDH attempts to ensure an end to end approach for production of quality seeds and planting material, taking up production and productivity improvement activities, creation of post harvest management and cold chain infrastructure for reducing post harvest losses, creation of market infrastructure including markets etc. for better price realization, capacity building of farmers and field staff through training programmes and promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations for strengthening farmer groups. NCJ/CP
