New Delhi, December 4, 2025 — The 33rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Horticulture Board (NHB) was held today at Krishi Bhawan, chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Ramnath Thakur, senior officials, horticulture experts, and industry representatives were also in attendance.
Schemes Must Be Farmer-Centric, Timely, and Transparent: Union Minister
During the review of NHB schemes, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to ensure that all programme implementations are timely, transparent, and directly beneficial to farmers.
He stressed that subsidies must reach farmers without delays, and there should be zero complaints regarding disbursement. The Minister reiterated that small and marginal farmers should receive maximum benefits and that their incomes must increase through horticulture support mechanisms.
Focus on Reducing Spoilage and Increasing Shelf Life of Horticulture Produce
A major highlight of the meeting was the Minister’s directive to develop a specialised strategy for perishable horticulture crops. He emphasised the need to:
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Reduce quick spoilage
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Improve shelf life
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Expand cold-chain accessibility
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Ensure farmers do not incur post-harvest losses
Shri Chouhan also instructed NHB to conduct awareness programmes so that farmers can adopt scientific post-harvest practices and avoid damage to their produce.
Review of Key NHB Programmes: Commercial Horticulture, Cold Chains & Clean Plant Programme
The discussion reviewed progress under several flagship schemes, including:
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Commercial Horticulture Development Schemes
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Cold-Chain Infrastructure Projects
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Cluster Development Programme (CDP) — a new initiative promoting region-specific horticulture clusters for improved productivity and market linkages
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Clean Plant Programme — aimed at supplying disease-free, high-quality planting material for high-value crops
The Minister emphasised strengthening systems that link farmers with markets, cold-chain networks, and value-addition opportunities, ensuring a robust horticulture value chain.
Quality Planting Materials and Post-Harvest Management Identified as Priority Areas
Shri Chouhan provided several strategic directions to boost India’s horticulture competitiveness. These included:
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Prioritising quality planting materials
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Enhancing post-harvest management and storage capabilities
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Improving productivity, quality, and export readiness
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Preparing state-wise and region-wise horticulture roadmaps
He urged NHB to work with “full strength” to support farmers and horticulture entrepreneurs across the country.
Release of Technical Publications
During the meeting, the Union Minister launched NHB’s new technical publications on:
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Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
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Organic farming models
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Advanced horticulture technologies
These publications are expected to serve as important reference tools for farmers, researchers, and agri-entrepreneurs.
Wide Representation Strengthens Dialogue
The meeting witnessed participation from:
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Union Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi
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ICAR Director General Dr. Mangi Lal Jat
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Senior officials from multiple departments
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Non-official horticulture board members
This broad representation helped integrate regional insights and sector-wide perspectives into the policy dialogue.
About the National Horticulture Board
The National Horticulture Board (NHB), an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, plays a crucial role in developing commercial horticulture, high-value farming, and cold-chain infrastructure across India.
Its initiatives support farmers, improve market access, and strengthen India’s horticultural ecosystem.
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Source: PIB
