The Government of India has revised the operational guidelines of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to provide enhanced financial support for horticultural crops, including citrus fruits such as orange and kinnow, seed spices like cumin, and medicinal crops such as isabgol. The revised framework aims to address rising cultivation costs, promote modern technologies, improve productivity and strengthen post-harvest infrastructure in the horticulture sector.
The updated guidelines were introduced in 2025 following requests from various stakeholders and in view of the increasing prices of agricultural inputs, planting materials, fertilizers, irrigation systems and other essential resources required for horticultural production.
The information was provided by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Rising Costs in Horticulture Sector
Horticultural crops often require significant investment due to their dependence on quality planting material, efficient irrigation facilities, scientific cultivation practices and value-chain infrastructure. Crops such as orange, kinnow, cumin and isabgol involve intensive use of labour and inputs, making cost support an important factor in ensuring sustainable cultivation.
To address these challenges, the government has increased cost norms under MIDH and incorporated provisions for advanced technologies being adopted in modern horticulture. The revised guidelines are expected to encourage farmers to adopt improved production methods and enhance the competitiveness of horticultural crops.
Enhanced Support for Citrus Fruit Cultivation
Under the earlier MIDH guidelines introduced in 2014, the cost norm for establishing citrus orchards, including orange and kinnow, under high-density plantation was fixed at ₹1 lakh per hectare without integration and ₹1.5 lakh per hectare with drip irrigation support.
The subsidy assistance under the scheme was provided at 40 per cent for general areas and 50 per cent for North Eastern and hilly regions, with a maximum permissible area of four hectares per beneficiary.
Under the revised 2025 guidelines, the government has increased financial support for citrus orchard development. The new cost norms have been fixed at ₹1.25 lakh per hectare for regular spacing plantations without drip integration. For high-density plantations, support has been enhanced to ₹2 lakh per hectare, while ultra-high-density plantations will receive assistance based on a cost norm of ₹3 lakh per hectare.
The subsidy pattern remains unchanged, with assistance ranging between 40 per cent and 50 per cent depending on the region.
Greater Assistance for Cumin Cultivation
Cumin cultivation, which falls under the seed spice category of MIDH, has also received increased support under the revised guidelines.
Earlier, the cost norm for cumin cultivation was ₹30,000 per hectare, with subsidy assistance of 40 per cent in general areas and 50 per cent in North Eastern and hilly regions.
The revised guidelines have increased the cost norm to ₹50,000 per hectare. The enhanced support will help farmers adopt improved seed varieties, integrated nutrient management (INM), integrated pest management (IPM), and scientific cultivation techniques.
The move is expected to improve productivity and encourage farmers to follow sustainable cultivation practices.
Isabgol and Medicinal Plant Sector Gets New Focus
The revised MIDH guidelines have also expanded support for medicinal and aromatic plants, including isabgol, which were not covered under the earlier framework.
A new cost norm of ₹1.5 lakh per hectare has been introduced for medicinal plants. The support will cover areas such as quality planting material, cultivation practices and value-chain development.
The inclusion of medicinal crops under MIDH is expected to encourage farmers to diversify their production and tap into growing domestic and international demand for herbal and medicinal products.
Disaster Relief Framework Remains with States
In the Lok Sabha reply, the government also highlighted the existing disaster management framework for agricultural losses caused by natural calamities.
According to the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), State Governments are primarily responsible for providing relief measures at the ground level during notified disasters. States undertake relief activities through funds available under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) based on norms approved by the Government of India.
Additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is considered for calamities of severe nature after receiving a memorandum from the concerned State Government and following established procedures.
The government clarified that assistance provided through SDRF and NDRF is intended as relief support and not compensation for losses.
Through the revised MIDH guidelines, the government aims to strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods, promote technology-driven farming and provide farmers with better financial support to manage rising cultivation costs.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
