Before you spend money: cost norms, rates and conditions can be changed by the Government. This page explains the April 2025 MIDH operational guidelines as written. Confirm the current position with your State Horticulture Department before committing to a project.
Establishing a new garden is the oldest and widest component of the mission. The structure of the support is consistent even though the numbers vary a lot by crop.
The pattern
Most fruit area-expansion components carry assistance of 40% in general areas, for a maximum of 2 hectares per beneficiary, calculated against a crop-specific cost norm.
Cost norms vary widely by crop
| Crop | Cost norm |
|---|---|
| Strawberry | ₹2.00 lakh per hectare |
| Dragon fruit with support system | ₹6.75 lakh per hectare |
| Grape including support system | ₹3.00 lakh per hectare |
| Banana or pineapple through tissue culture | ₹1.75 lakh per hectare |
| Mango, guava, litchi, pomegranate, citrus at regular spacing | ₹1.25 lakh per hectare |
The differences reflect planting material and support-system costs, not the profitability of the crop.
Planting density changes the component
High-density planting of fruit crops other than apple carries ₹2.00 lakh per hectare, and high-density apple with support system carries ₹5.00 lakh. Minimum plant populations per hectare apply to the high-density apple categories, so density is a condition rather than a description.
The survival condition
For several perennial fruit components, assistance is released in two instalments in the ratio 60:40. The second instalment is subject to a survival rate of 80% in the second year.
This is the condition most likely to cost you money. Plan for replacement planting and irrigation through the first summer, because the second instalment is not automatic.
Drip irrigation is a different scheme
Where drip irrigation is added, the guidelines state that assistance follows PDMC norms. There is no separate NHM figure to apply, and the PDMC document governs.
Old orchards
Rejuvenation of senile plantations is supported separately: removal of dead or dying plants at ₹10,000 per hectare, and nutrient, pest-management and irrigation inputs at ₹40,000 per hectare, both at 40% in general areas for up to 2 hectares.
