The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was launched during Tenth Plan (from May 2005-06) for the holistic development of horticulture sector in the country. All the States and Union Territories are covered under the Mission except the eight North Eastern States including Sikkim and the States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are covered under another Mission namely the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States (TMNE). The scheme is continued during the XI Five Year Plan.

During the X Five Year Plan, the scheme was implemented for a period of 2 years. The achievements made under the Mission during 2005-06 and 2006-07 are as under:

• 637 new nurseries were set up.

• An area of 4.07 lakh ha covered under various horticulture crops and 0.353 lakh ha under senile plantation has been rejuvenated.

• Organic farming and integrated pest management programme was taken up in 0.37 lakh ha and 1.28 lakh ha, respectively.

• Under the post harvest management components, 74 pack houseS, 14 cold storages, 4 refrigerated vans, 2 mobile/primary processing units, 8 whole sale markets and 40 rural markets have been assisted.

During last 10 years (2000-01 to 2009-10), an area of 4.55 million ha has been brought under various horticulture crops including plantation crops in the country.

This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha