Context: The Union Government has reportedly decided to include four new components – Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture – under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

Advanced Farming Techniques

• 1) Hydroponics

• Definition: It is a method of growing plants without soil, using water enriched with balanced mineral nutrients essential for plant growth.

• Benefits:

• Uses less water than traditional farming.

• Suitable for regions with poor soil or limited land.

• Allows precise nutrient control, reducing wastage.

• Limitations:

• High initial setup costs.

• Requires continuous monitoring and specialised knowledge of nutrient management.

• 2) Aquaponics

• Definition: it integrates hydroponics with aquaculture, creating a symbiotic system with plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria.

• Process:

• Fish waste provides nutrients for plant growth.

• Plants, in turn, filter and purify water, which is recycled back to the fish tanks.

• Benefits:

• Sustainable system producing both plants and fish.

• Reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

• Efficient water use.

• Limitations:

• Requires knowledge to balance fish and plant needs.

• Demands careful monitoring of water quality and nutrient levels.

• 3) Precision Agriculture

• Definition: it employs data-driven technology to manage crop production at a highly detailed level.

• Technologies Used:

• GPS: Provides accurate mapping of fields.

• Grid Sampling: Collects soil samples at intervals to assess pH, nutrients, and moisture.

• Variable-Rate Technology (VRT): Adjusts the application rate of seeds, fertilizers, and water across fields, preventing over- and under-application.

• Drones, Sensors, Satellite Imagery: Monitor crop health, growth, and field conditions in real-time.

• Benefits:

• Increases crop yield and quality.

• Reduces inputs like water and fertilizers, cutting costs and environmental impact.

• Limitations:

• High initial cost of technology.

• Requires skilled operators and reliable internet connectivity.

• 4) Vertical Farming

• Definition: Vertical Farming means cultivating plants in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces, typically in controlled environments.

• Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA): Optimises conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients to enhance plant growth.

Nutrient-Providing Methods:

• Hydroponics: Soil-free growing using nutrient solutions.

• Aeroponics: Roots are misted with nutrient-rich water, requiring less water than hydroponics.

• Aquaponics: Combines fish farming with hydroponic plant production in a closed system.

• Benefits:

• Maximises space utilisation, especially in urban areas.

• Reduces the need for large amounts of land.

• Limitations:

• High setup and operational costs.

• Energy-intensive due to the use of artificial lighting and climate control.

Key highlights

• According to sources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has also begun the process of revising the MIDH operational guidelines and cost norms and the same will be released within a month. 

• The cost norms under the MIDH may see an upward revision of 20 percent as compared to the existing rates.

• The cost norms and guidelines were last fixed in April 2014. Since then, the Centre has not revised MIDH guidelines. 

• The Centre supports pre-production, production, post-harvest management, processing, and marketing activities under the MIDH.

About Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture:

• A Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS) is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15 for holistic growth of the horticulture sector.

• It promotes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.

• MIDH also provides technical advice and administrative support to State Governments/ State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) for the Saffron Mission and other horticulture related activities Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)/NMSA.

Funding:

• Under MIDH, Government of India (GOI) contributes 60% of total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states except states in North East and Himalayas, 40% share is contributed by State Governments.

• In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GOI contributes 90%.

• In case of National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland and the National Level Agencies (NLA), GOI contributes 100%.

Key Components

1. National Horticulture Mission (NHM) - Focuses on the development of horticulture in states and union territories.

2. Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) - Addresses the specific needs of the northeastern and Himalayan regions.

3. National Bamboo Mission (NBM) - Dedicated to promoting bamboo cultivation and its value chain.

4. Coconut Development Board (CDB) - Works on the development of the coconut sector.

5. Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH): It was established at Medizipehima, Nagaland in 2006-07 for providing technical backstopping through capacity building and training of farmers and Field functionaries in the North Eastern Region.

About Horticulture

• Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants for food, medicine, and aesthetic purposes. It involves the cultivation of a variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, trees, shrubs, flowering plants, and turf. 

• Sub-disciplines: olericulture (vegetables), pomology (fruit), floriculture (flowering plants), and landscape horticulture.

Key Facts

• Horticulture production is higher than the production of food grains in the country. 

• India’s total horticulture production rose from 240.53 million metric tonnes in 2010-11 to 334.60 million metric tonnes in 2020-21.

• Indian horticulture sector contributes about 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA)

• India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world.