Focusing on horticulture to reduce tobacco cultivation: Govt

NEW DELHI: To wean away people from tobacco cultivation, the government is giving high priority for remunerative horticulture crops, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told Lok Sabha today.

The government has been implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) with effect from 2014-15 that covers fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, coconut and cashew, among others.

"Horticulture is emerging as a prospective sector for replacing tobacco cultivation. High priority is given for promoting remunerative horticulture crops for weaning away tobacco cultivation," Singh said.

As many as 384 districts spread across 23 states and union territories have been covered by National Horticulture Mission (NHM) under MIDH.

These include 45 districts in Uttar Pradesh and 39 in Madhya Pradesh.

Under MIDH, various steps have been taken to promote horticulture, including creation of infrastructure for post harvest management and rejuvenation of old and unproductive orchards.

States are also given funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for development of horticulture.

MIDH has subsumed NHM, National Bamboo Mission and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, among others.