Overview

Horticulture
a Potential Sector for Diversification

T
he Hon’ble Union Agricul- that amply reflects potential of the sector
ture Minister Shri Shivraj
About the Author and Government’s commitment.
Singh Chouhan on 05th Au-
gust 2024 announced that Indian Horticulture Scenario
an amount of Rs 18,000 India is the second largest produc-
crore expenditure would be incurred er of fruits and vegetables in the world,
on setting up 100 export-oriented hor- after China. The Indian horticulture con-
ticulture clusters in next five years. His tributes ~33% to agricultural Gross Val-
announcement may be seen in the con- ue Added (GVA), while using about 13%
text that Government of India (GoI) has of the gross cropped area. The horticul-
launched a program on Cluster Develop- tural production (Second Advance Es-
ment of Horticulture to enhance global timates for 2023-24) is estimated to be
competitiveness of Indian horticulture. 352.23 million ton, and has surpassed
The Ministry has identified 12 horticul- Sunil Kaushik, food grain production, from a much less
ture clusters for the pilot launch of the General Manager, NABARD area (28.63 million ha for horticulture
Programme. These are a few examples against 127.6 million ha for food grains).

20 AGRICULTURE TODAY September 2024

 Overview

Productivity also is much higher vis a vis

productivity of food grains (12.49 ton/
ha against 2.23 ton/ha). Productivity
of horticultural crops has increased by
38% during 2004-05 to 2021-22. The
major subsectors of horticulture viz.,
fruits and vegetables are estimated to
contribute a production of 112.63 million
ton and 204.96 million ton, respectively.

Challenges in Horticulture Sector

While the total production is high, the
productivity is lower vis a vis the major
countries. There is a necessity to ad-
dress the issues of quality planting ma-
terial, availability of productive varieties,
and spruce up extension network for
technology transfer. In urban India, the Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) on cereals and puls-
Climate change is a big challenge es is Rs 325 and on fruits and vegetables Rs 491, and share of expenditure on
for horticultural crops. With rising tem- fruits and vegetables in total food expenditure is 19.4% as compared to 9.3% on
perature, snow line is likely to recede to cereals. In rural India, the MPCE on cereals and pulses is Rs 261 and on fruits
higher altitude areas in the hills making and vegetables Rs 343 and share of expenditure on fruits and vegetables in total
the lower areas unsuitable for temper- food expenditure is 19.6% as compared to 10.6% on cereals. (NSS Report No.
ate fruits. Unseasonal intense rainfall 591: Survey on Household Expenditure: 2022-23)
during flowering and fruiting period may

lead to higher flower drop and poor fruit-

Productivity of setting. More frequent drought incidents

horticultural may adversely affect the growth of fruits

trees and may lead to poor harvest.
crops has Higher incidences of pests and diseas-
es make produce unfit for marketing and
increased by consumption.
Lack of post-harvest infrastructure
38% during 2004- such as cold chain facilities and lo-
gistics is leading to reduced shelf life,
05 to 2021-22. market value of and huge post-harvest
losses. Around 15-20% of the fruits and
vegetables in India are wasted along the
supply chain or at consumer level.
Role of credit is critical in promotion
of horticulture sector that require long
term investments. Owing to several rea-
sons, credit off-take in horticulture sec-
tor is not commensurate to potential.
With an export of Rs 11,412 crore
during 2021-22 for fresh fruits and
vegetables, India is ranked
14th in vegetables exports
and 23rd in fruits exports, and its
share in the global horticultural
market is a mere 1%.
India has great poten-

September 2024 AGRICULTURE TODAY 21

 Overview

tial for increasing exports of fresh fruits

and vegetables.

Government Initiatives
Role of credit is
Mission for Integrated Development of critical in promotion
Horticulture (MIDH) is a Centrally Spon-
sored Scheme, launched from 1st April of horticulture sector
2014, for holistic growth of horticulture
sector covering fruits, vegetables, root that require long term
& tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flow-
ers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, investments.
cocoa, and bamboo. GOI contributes
60% of total outlay in all the states,
90% in North-East and Himalayas and cropping systems will boost produc- marketing channels such as e-NAM,
100% in Union Territories. Horticulture tivity. ONDC, etc. on a campaign mode
Cluster Development Programme is an- • Alignment of Research towards build- and incentivizing farmers / FPOs /
other central sector programme aimed at ing climate resilience. Development SHGs on branding and labelling.
growing and developing identified horti- of drought / heat resistant varieties, • Access to credit on easier terms,
culture clusters to make them globally protected cultivation through low- interest subvention for long term in-
competitive. cost poly houses and net houses, vestments and credit linked capital
Recognizing the need to take advan- adoption of agronomic practices that subsidies.
tages of economies of scale, the GoI is reduce impact of climate change, • Technology transfer by gearing up
implementing a central sector scheme to micro irrigation, integrated pest and Government’s extension machinery
form 10000 FPOs with an outlay of Rs disease management, natural farm- and adoption of digital means to
6,300 crore. The scheme aims to pro- ing practices, etc. be promoted on a reach farmers. Research institutions
mote the formation and strengthening of mission mode. should strive to transfer technologies
FPOs and development of entrepreneur- • Optimization of production through on modern farming techniques, good
ship among the farmers. Horticultural advances in technology such as pre- agricultural practices, and market-
sector with many subsectors offers great cision agriculture techniques. This oriented production. Collaboration of
scope for FPOs to take advantage of this involves using data and sensors to research institutions and agricultural
support. monitor crops, soil conditions, and extension agencies is critical.
The Union Cabinet, on 09 August weather patterns, enabling farmers to • Rooftop gardens and vertical farm-
2024 approved Clean Plant Programme take informed decisions and increase ing systems will gain momentum in
(CPP) with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore efficiency, reduce costs, and improve future. Aeroponic and hydroponic
to revolutionize India’s horticulture sector. sustainability. systems have made it easier to grow
The CPP will address virus infestation • Promotion of low-cost decentralized a variety of vegetables in limited
in horticultural crops, affecting both pro- processing technologies and near space.
ductivity and quality. Key components of farm primary processing infrastruc- To achieve demand-driven horticul-
the programme are establishment of nine ture. tural production, improved productivity,
world-class Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) • Engagement with FPOs, FPO fed- effective credit and risk management,
equipped with advanced diagnostic erations, SHGs and SHG Federa- and more efficient marketing network,
therapeutics and tissue culture labs; and tions and new age agri startups in there is a need for multi-stakeholder
implementation of a robust certification the value chain of horticulture crops. partnerships involving horticulturists,
system under the Seeds Act 1966. Providing common post-harvest government, consumers, agro-based in-
infrastructure such as cold stor- dustry, and academia/research. As India
Way forward age, integrated pack houses, ripen- aims to become the world’s food basket,
• Cultivation of high yielding varieties. ing chambers, etc. to these farmer which includes fruits and vegetables, the
A rich number of varieties have al- groups will enable economies of journey needs to be supported by joint
ready been developed by scientific scale and orient production to high efforts to achieve income and livelihood
institutes, which must be taken to end processing and exports. advancements of horticultural farmers.
cultivation. Also, adopting cropping • Improvement of marketing facilities *Disclaimer: This is the personal view-
systems such as high-density plan- in small towns and connect to dis- point of the author and does not repre-
tation, mixed cropping / multi layered tant markets, promotion of digital sent the opinion of NABARD in any way.

22 AGRICULTURE TODAY September 2024