Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture is the nodal organisation responsible for development of the floriculture sector. It is responsible for formulation and implementation of national policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid agricultural growth through optimum utilization of land, water, soil and plant resources of the country.

It undertakes all possible measures to ensure timely and adequate supply of inputs and services such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, agricultural implements and also provides agricultural credit, crop insurance and ensures remunerative returns to the farmer for their agricultural produce.

The Horticulture Division in the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation is vested with the responsibility of overseeing the overall accelerated development of the sector. It has been set up with a mandate to:

• Implement the programmes for improving the production, productivity and utilisation of horticultural crops.
• Support and formulate policies aimed for accelerated growth of horticulture.
• Facilitate the availability of disease free planting material and seeds of horticultural crops.
• Provide the leadership and co-ordinate activities for the promotion of horticulture.
• Work as facilitator for the transfer of technology to farmers and promote the use of information technology.
• Promote better utilisation and increased consumption of horticultural produce to ensure higher returns to farmers and nutritional security to people.
• Develop strong base for the supply of inputs, transfer of technology and human resource developmental activities.
• Promote horticulture in NE Region, hills, tribal & backward areas for improving economic status of people.

Ministry of Food Processing Industry is the main  central agency of the Government responsible for developing a strong and vibrant food processing sector. It has been set up with a view to create increased job opportunities in rural areas, enable the farmers to reap benefit from modern technology, create surplus for exports and stimulate demand for processed food.

The subjects looked after by the Ministry are :

• Fruits and vegetable processing industry;
• Foodgrain milling industry;
• Dairy products; 
• Processing of poultry and eggs, meat and meat products;
• Fish processing;
• Bread, oilseeds, meals (edible), breakfast foods, biscuits, confectionery(including cocoa processing and chocolate), malt extract, protein isolate,high protein food, weaning food;
• Alcoholic drinks from non-molasses base;
• Aerated waters / soft drinks and other processed foods;
• Specialized packaging for food processing industries; as well as
• Technical assistance and advice to food processing industry.

State Governments have set up separate departments for promotion and development of the sector in their respective States. Some of them are the following.

Department of Food Processing Industries And Horticulture, Government Of West Bengal

The department has taken several initiatives for the development of the sector:

• The state government is setting up a hi-tech floriculture park at Mungpoo in North Bengal. This park would provide common infrastructure to the entrepreneurs, who lack resources to build the required infrastructure.
• The state government through the West Bengal State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation Ltd is planning to set up a market complex for flowers with cold chain infrastructure for preserving flowers at Mullickghat, Kolkata.
• A comprehensive multistoried flower market with facilities for cold storage has recently come up at Panskura under the state government initiative.
• The Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal is planning to set up a market complex, exclusively for flowers at Ranaghat.

Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka

Karnataka is a progressive state in the field of modern horticulture in the country. The diverse agro-ecological conditions prevailing in Karnataka has made it possible to grow different types of horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, root and tuber crops, medicinal and aromatic crops etc. Karnataka is the 3 rd largest producer of fruits and stands 5 th position in area and production of vegetable crops. State stands 1 st in area and 3 rd in production of flower crops. It occupies 2 nd and 3 rd position with respect to area and production of plantation crops. Karnataka is the largest producer of Spices, Aromatic and Medicinal crops.

Government of Karnataka is considering fruit and vegetable processing sector as a thrust area for development. With growing urbanization and increasing quality consciousness, the market for processed fruit and vegetable is expected to grow rapidly. Therefore, there is enormous potential for developing agro products.