Horticulture may seem like a synonym of agriculture to many of us, isn’t it? Well, the answer to this confusion is NO, Horticulture is the industry, science and art of plant cultivation. This also includes the process of preparing for the planting of seeds, tubers or cuttings. It is basically gardening on a smaller scale. Agriculture on the other hand is referred to the large-scale cultivation of crops. 

India is one country that is blessed with nature and this helps in producing and accessing of one or more fruits at any point of the year. With a production escalation to over 300 per cent during the last three decades, it positions second in the world production of fruits and vegetables. 

While talking about the scope of Horticulture in Himachal Pradesh, it has ensured a significant number of the positive results in business, wages, and poverty reduction. Work in horticulture as a level of all agricultural work in Himachal Pradesh has expanded from somewhere around 0.9 percent to 28 percent. Crop Diversification has had a huge effect on pay and work among farmers.

In Himachal Pradesh, Horticulture is one of the fundamental rural practices. A large proportion of the population depends upon agriculture for their livelihood as provides direct employment to about 70 percent of the state’s overall employment is in horticulture and the rural economy. Women are substantial contributors in agriculture, horticulture, and livestock/dairying divisions. In horticulture, women endure to provide substantial labor and managerial input to pre-harvest and post-harvest activities.

Entrepreneurship, what according to you this term means, who all can be an entrepreneur, which segment can be used if you’re planning a startup? In easy terms, entrepreneurship means designing, launching and running a new business, it doesn’t matter if you’re starting it on a small scale or a large scale. Now, anyone with a business idea and capital to start can be an entrepreneur, it surely doesn’t mean sitting in an office and working. An entrepreneur can be any person who has its own business which can be horticulture as well. 

Now if we discuss the business opportunities for any entrepreneur in Himachal Pradesh, Himachal is blessed with all the resources one needs to start their new business. I believe that one can definitely live without smart phones yet can’t live without food. From natural products to grains, Himachal can possibly grow up as a one of biggest makers. Himachal Pradesh government gives distinctive plans identified with cultivating and farming and also gives counsel to seed quality up to farming administration. Horticultural economy of Himachal Pradesh is set to change with new & young agriculturists proving their interest & skills in organic farming. 

Also, Narendra Modi government feels deeply that growth of the nation is connected to the wellbeing of the farmer and the productivity of farming and a visionary who has taken strategic steps to fast-track an alteration in the farming sector with an ambition to empower farmers. And to motivate young and existing farmers to expand their farming activities, the government has launched a number of schemes.

Multiplying famers’ salary, securing farmers & their lands, making them tech savvy, boosting agribusiness research and instruction, and building farmers related foundation are a portion of the real objectives set and being worked upon for the development of horticulture area and agriculturists’ welfare. Other schemes initiated for the welfare & empowerment of farmers are:

1. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is another scheme started by Narendra Modi and farmer welfare is an integral part of it. 
2. Lab-To-Land, Har Khet Ko Paani and Per Drop More Crop have raised awareness about the need to create systems that turn the farming activity into a hub of productivity and prosperity.
3. Beej Se Bazaar Tak (BSBT) it is a comprehensive action plan to empower farmers throughout the farming cycle.
4. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna focuses on providing inexpensive insurance for wide coverage, making farming as risk-free as possible.
5. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana in order to address the critical importance of soil and water for improving agricultural production.

And not just stopping to this, the government has also launched many schemes that would relieve the entrepreneurs from the vicious cycle of moneylenders and middlemen. It has opened up new opportunities for the youth, women and those who wanted to start or expand their businesses. 

1. MUDRA BANK YOJANA : (Micro Unit Development and Refinance Agency Bank), will provide credit up to Rs.10 lakh to small entrepreneurs & act as a regulator of Microfinance institutions.
2. The SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sector, SIDBI also promotes cleaner production and energy efficiency.
3. The Stand Up India scheme is a special scheme started by the government of India to financially empower SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. You can borrow between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 CR to start a manufacturing, trading or service unit, which is to be repaid in 7 years.

With all these above schemes, you can begin your journey as an entrepreneur as Himachal Pradesh has gained noteworthy ground in the improvement of horticulture. The commitment of cultivation to the essential segment has expanded amid the examination time frame in the State economy.