Daily Current Affairs : 29-October-2024

The Union Government of India has decided to expand the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to incorporate modern agricultural techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture. This initiative aims to modernize horticulture practices, increase productivity, and address the need for updated cost norms and guidelines, which have been raised by various states.

About the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India. The mission is implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It aims to promote holistic growth in the horticulture sector, focusing on areas like production, post-harvest management, and marketing of a wide variety of horticultural crops.

Sub-Schemes Under MIDH:

MIDH includes various sub-schemes to provide focused support to different areas of horticulture:

  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
  • Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP)
  • Technology Mission for Development in North-Eastern States, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir
  • National Bamboo Mission
  • Coconut Development Board
  • Mission for Integrated Development of Medicinal Plants (MIDMP)

Modern Agricultural Techniques in MIDH

To improve horticultural practices, the government is incorporating advanced techniques into the MIDH framework. These techniques are designed to maximize crop production while addressing the challenges of land and resource management.

  • Hydroponics: A method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions. It allows for farming in small spaces and provides high yields with controlled environments.
  • Aquaponics: Combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and plants help purify the water, creating a mutually beneficial system.
  • Vertical Farming: Involves growing crops in stacked layers, often in urban environments. By using controlled environments and LED lighting, vertical farming maximizes space and production in limited areas.
  • Precision Agriculture: Uses technology such as GPS, data analysis, and IoT to monitor and manage agricultural inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides. This approach ensures higher accuracy and efficiency in farming practices.

Benefits of This Expansion

The expansion of MIDH with advanced techniques will modernize the horticulture sector, leading to:

  • Higher Productivity: By using modern techniques, crop yields will increase even in limited spaces.
  • Efficient Use of Resources: Technologies like precision agriculture ensure that resources such as water and fertilizers are used efficiently.
  • Sustainable Farming: Techniques like aquaponics and hydroponics offer environmentally sustainable ways of farming, reducing the dependency on soil and natural resources.

Important Points:

  • MIDH Expansion: The Union Government is expanding the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to include advanced agricultural techniques.
  • Modern Farming Methods: New techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture will be incorporated to improve productivity.
  • MIDH Overview:
    • Launched by the Government of India as a centrally sponsored scheme.
    • Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
    • Focuses on the growth of horticulture through production, post-harvest management, and marketing.
  • Key Sub-Schemes under MIDH:
    • National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
    • Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP)
    • Technology Mission for the North-East, Sikkim, and J&K
    • National Bamboo Mission
    • Coconut Development Board
    • Mission for Integrated Development of Medicinal Plants (MIDMP)
  • Advanced Agricultural Techniques:
    • Hydroponics: Soil-free cultivation using nutrient-rich water solutions for higher yields in small spaces.
    • Aquaponics: Combines fish farming and hydroponics, where fish waste provides nutrients for plants.
    • Vertical Farming: Growing crops in stacked layers indoors, maximizing space and crop output.
    • Precision Agriculture: Uses GPS, data analysis, and IoT to manage farming inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides efficiently.
  • Benefits of MIDH Expansion:
    • Increased Productivity: Advanced methods allow for higher yields in smaller or urban spaces.
    • Resource Efficiency: Precision agriculture ensures efficient use of water, fertilizers, and other inputs.
    • Sustainable Farming: Techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics promote environmentally friendly farming practices.

Why In News

The Union Government has decided to expand the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) by incorporating advanced agricultural techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture, with the goal of modernizing the sector, increasing productivity, and ensuring sustainable farming practices for the future.

MCQs about Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

  1. What is the primary objective behind expanding the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)?
    A. To reduce government subsidies for farmers
    B. To modernize horticulture practices and increase productivity
    C. To focus only on traditional farming methods
    D. To promote non-horticultural crops
    Correct Answer: B. To modernize horticulture practices and increase productivity
    Explanation: The expansion of MIDH aims to modernize horticulture practices through the incorporation of advanced techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture. This will lead to increased productivity and more efficient farming.
  2. Which of the following is NOT one of the advanced agricultural techniques being incorporated into the MIDH?
    A. Hydroponics
    B. Aquaponics
    C. Vertical Farming
    D. Organic Farming
    Correct Answer: D. Organic Farming
    Explanation: The techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture. Organic farming is not specifically mentioned as part of this expansion.
  3. What role does precision agriculture play in the expansion of MIDH?
    A. It increases crop yields by using traditional farming methods.
    B. It ensures efficient use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides through technology.
    C. It eliminates the need for modern technology in farming.
    D. It focuses on soil-based cultivation without any technological inputs.
    Correct Answer: B. It ensures efficient use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides through technology.
    Explanation: Precision agriculture uses technologies such as GPS, data analysis, and IoT to optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, improving farming efficiency and crop yields.
  4. Which of the following is a sub-scheme of MIDH?
    A. National Bamboo Mission
    B. National Agriculture Development Program
    C. Organic Farming Promotion Scheme
    D. Greenhouse Farming Mission
    Correct Answer: A. National Bamboo Mission
    Explanation: The National Bamboo Mission is listed as one of the sub-schemes under MIDH, aimed at promoting the development of the bamboo sector in India. Other sub-schemes include the National Horticulture Mission and the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme.

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