National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories of India except the North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttaranchal to promote holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushroom, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa. This is a Centrally sponsored scheme in which Government of India shall provide 100% assistance to the State Missions during Tenth Plan. During the XI Plan, the Government of India assistance will be 85% and 15% contribution by the State Government.

The main objectives of the Mission are:

1. To provide holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies which include research, technology promotion, extension, post harvest management, processing and marketing, in consonance with comparative advantage of each State/region and its diverse agro-climatic features;
2. To enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income supports to farm households;
3. To establish convergence and synergy among multiple on-going and planned programmes for horticulture development;
4. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies, through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge;
5. To create opportunities for employment generation for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youth.

The Government has created the West Bengal State Horticulture Development Society for implementation of the Mission programmes at the State and District levels. The Society is presided by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal.

A list of programmes to be implemented in your district under the National Horticultural Mission is enclosed for your information along with the operational guidelines. The programmes is being implemented through participation of the various organizations like the DRDC, District Horticultural Officer, the Panchayati Raj Institutions, representatives from concerned line Departments, Growers’ association, Marketing Boards, Self Help Groups and the NGOs.