National Horticulture Mission was launched in which of the following years?

🔑 Key Points
→ Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
→ M.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.
→ The National Horticulture Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2005-06.
→ It was launched to enhance horticulture production and improve nutritional security and income support to farm households and others through area-based regionally differentiated strategies.

📌 Important Points
✔ The scheme is not available in:
🔸 Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
🔸 7 North East States and Sikkim
🔸 Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
✔ The North East States, HP, J&K, and Uttarakhand are covered under the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States (TMNE).

📝 Additional Information
🔹 A total of three hundred and eighty-four (384) districts under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) are covered in 23 States/UTs.
🔹 Over the last decade, the area under horticulture grew at an average rate of 2.7% per annum.
🔹 The annual production increased at an average rate of 7.0% per annum.