New MIDH guidelines to support Vertical Farming

The Union Government has decided to expand MIDH by incorporating advanced agricultural techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming and precision agriculture.

Table of Contents

Context

The Union Government has decided to expand MIDH by incorporating advanced agricultural techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming and precision agriculture.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing MIDH from 2014-15.
MIDH is implemented under Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana.
It focuses on the holistic growth of horticulture through support for pre-production, production, post-harvest management and marketing of diverse horticulture crops.

Additional Information

● Hydroponics: This is a method of cultivating plants without soil, where roots are immersed in nutrient-rich water. It allows for highly controlled environments, enabling efficient growth and higher yields in compact spaces.

● Aquaponics: This system combines aquaculture and hydroponics, using fish waste to fertilise plants, which, in turn, purify the water for fish. This creates a symbiotic environment that conserves water and supports both plant and fish cultivation.

● Vertical Farming: A modern approach to farming that uses stacked layers to grow crops indoors. Vertical farms rely on LED lighting and climate control systems to enhance crop production, making it ideal for urban areas or places with limited agricultural land.

● Precision Agriculture: A data-driven farming approach using GPS, IoT, and data analytics to monitor and manage water, fertilisers, and pesticides with precision/accuracy.