Revision summary
NHM (2005–06), later under MIDH, pushed horticulture area, planting material, and some post-harvest assets. National fruit and vegetable output and some cluster yields rose clearly. Income rose where markets, drip, and processing exist, and failed in glut seasons for tomato, onion, and potato. Post-harvest loss means extra tonnes are not extra cash. Policy should score sold, graded produce and FPO cold chain, not only area.
Model answer
Flow diagram
flowchart TD NHM[NHM MIDH] --> A[Area seed drip clusters] A --> P[Higher production productivity] P --> I[Farm income] L[Glut loss thin processing] --> I M[Pack-house FPO cold chain] --> I
Conclusion
- Shift NHM/MIDH from area targets to sold, graded produce: cluster pack-houses, e-NAM quality assaying, and processing parks tied to FPOs.
- Expand price stabilisation and onion–potato–tomato storage as public infrastructure, not only private cold rooms for the large farmer.
- Certify nurseries strictly; fake plants are an income killer.
- Align crop insurance, power, and drip so protected cultivation is not a subsidy trap.
- Measure success as real farm income and reduced loss, not only as national horticulture tonnage.
NHM helped India grow more fruit, vegetables, and spices and raised productivity in clusters that already had markets and drip. It has only partly succeeded in raising farmer income, because glut, loss, and weak processing still sit between the field and the purse. The next step is markets and cold chain, not another hectare target.
Quick related
Students also ask
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How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (250 Words, 15 Marks).
Next question in the 2018 paper (Q14). View answer →
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Did NHM double farmer income by itself?
No. It raised the chance of high-value output. Income still depends on price, loss, and processing, which the mission only partly fixed.
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Why do onion and tomato farmers still protest after a ‘good’ crop?
A production boom without storage and processing is a price crash. Tonnage success can be an income failure in the same season.
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