Agriculture Minister launched Horticulture Cluster Development Programme

Current Context: The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

• The Horticulture CDP was launched to ensure the growth of the activities horticulture sector are in a proper manner or not.
• The programme will be executed in pilot phases and initially, 12 horticulture clusters out of the total 53 clusters are selected for the programme.
• The Horticulture CDP will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• It will work to develop identified horticulture clusters so that they can be represented at the global level.
• To uplift the horticulture sector, the programme leverage geographical specialization and promote integrated and market-led development of clusters.
• The programme will address the issues related to pre-production, production, post-production, harvest management, logistics, branding and marketing.
• The clusters of the pilot phase include Shopian (J&K) and Kinnaur (H.P.) for Apple, Lucknow (U.P.), Kutch (Gujarat) and Mahbubnagar (Telangana) for Mango, Anantpur (A.P.) and Theni (T.N.) for Banana, Nasik (Maharashtra) for Grapes, Siphahijala (Tripura) for Pineapple, Solapur (Maharashtra) and Chitradurga (Karnataka) for Pomegranate and West Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) for Turmeric.
• These clusters will be implemented through Cluster Development Agencies (CDAs) which are appointed on the recommendations of the respective State/UT Government.

Question: 

Q.1 Which entity to implement Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)?
a. Department of Agricultural Research And Education
b. National Horticulture Board (NHB)
c. NABARD
d. Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers Welfare