Subsidy
NHB / MIDH (Horticulture & Cold Storage)
The National Horticulture Board (NHB) runs credit-linked, back-ended capital subsidy schemes for commercial horticulture and for cold storage and storage of horticulture produce, within the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Projects are bank-financed, and the subsidy is released after the project is completed and inspected.
Status (checked 4 Oct 2026): NHB revised its scheme guidelines with effect from 21 August 2026, including the pattern and extent of assistance. By a public circular dated 3 September 2026, it suspended receipt of fresh applications for Grant of Clearance (GoC) under Scheme No. 1 (Commercial Horticulture) and Scheme No. 2 (Cold Storage) for one month from 4 September 2026. The date for resumption is to be notified separately.
Source: NHB public circular (03.09.2026)
The two main NHB schemes
- Scheme No. 1, Commercial Horticulture: development of commercial horticulture through production and post-harvest management projects, including protected cultivation.
- Scheme No. 2, Cold Storage: construction, expansion and modernisation of cold storages and storages for horticulture products, built to NHB's engineering guidelines and minimum system standards.
Because the pattern of assistance was revised in August 2026, we have not reproduced subsidy rates or ceilings here. We work from the revised guidelines on the NHB website for each proposal.
How a typical NHB project moves
- 1
Project and bank
A DPR in NHB's format, with term loan sanction from a bank; NHB publishes a model DPR and financial appraisal template.
- 2
Online application and clearance
Registration and application on the NHB portal for Grant of Clearance, when applications are open.
- 3
Implementation
Construction and equipment to NHB's technical standards, with documentation of costs and loan disbursement.
- 4
Inspection and subsidy
Joint inspection after completion and release of the back-ended subsidy through the bank.
Planning while applications are paused
A cold-storage project can still be designed, costed and taken to the bank while the GoC window is shut. We prepare the DPR to NHB's format and keep it ready for filing when NHB resumes, and compare alternatives such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy.
Sources
Scheme terms change; verify on the official portal; last checked 4 Oct 2026. This page is general information for planning, not a guarantee of eligibility, sanction or disbursement. See our Terms of Use & Disclaimer.
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