Strengthening Indian Horticulture

India’s horticulture production reached 367.72 million tonnes in 2024–25 (2nd advance estimates), highlighting its rising role in farmer incomes and agricultural diversification.

Horticulture as a Driver of Agri-Economy

Introduction

• Horticulture is a vital sub-sector of Indian agriculture contributing to nutritional security, employment generation, crop diversification, and export growth.
• Farmers’ success stories such as coconut-based integrated farming in Kerala and floriculture in Assam showcase its transformative potential for small and medium landholders.

Significance of Horticulture in India

• Second Largest Producer Globally: India ranks next only to China in fruits and vegetables.
• Nutritional Value: Fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, and plantation crops help ensure dietary diversity and food security.
• Economic Contribution: Provides higher returns compared to traditional field crops.
• Employment Generation: Engages a large workforce in cultivation, processing, and value chains.
• Export Potential: Key contributor to spice, coconut, cashew, and floriculture exports.

Growth Trends

• Production Growth:
  • From 70 MT in 2013–14 to 367.72 MT in 2024–25.
  • Fruits: 114.51 MT, Vegetables: 219.67 MT, Others: 33.54 MT.
• Productivity Gains:
  • Fruits increased from 17 MT/ha (2014–15) to 15.80 MT/ha (2023–24).
  • Vegetables rose from 76 MT/ha to 18.40 MT/ha in the same period.
• Doubling Farmers’ Income Strategy (2016): Horticulture identified as a high-value crop diversification measure.

Government Schemes and Institutional Support

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) (2014–15 onwards)
  • Umbrella scheme for holistic growth.
  • Key components: Centres of Excellence, Cluster Development Programme, Clean Plant Programme, Post-Entry Quarantine Facilities.
  • Provides financial & technical support for nurseries, orchards, protected cultivation, organic farming, irrigation, mechanisation, and post-harvest infrastructure.
• National Horticulture Mission (NHM) (2005–06)
  • Cluster-based approach with focus on quality planting material, area expansion, rejuvenation, modern technologies, and post-harvest management.
• Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH)
  • Initiated in 2001–02; merged into MIDH (2014–15).
  • Covered the entire horticulture chain in difficult terrains of North East and Himalayan states.
• National Horticulture Board (NHB) (1984)
  • Focus on high-tech commercial horticulture, cold chains, quality planting material, and cluster development.
• Coconut Development Board (CDB) (1981)
  • Statutory body under the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979.
  • Works on expansion, productivity enhancement, value addition, and by-product utilisation.
• Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland
  • Provides capacity building and training for North Eastern farmers.

Research and Quality Improvement

• Supported by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State/Central Agricultural Universities (SAU/CAU), and National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
• Focus on improved horticultural varieties, disease-resistant plants, and climate-resilient technologies.

Challenges

• Fragmented supply chains and inadequate cold storage.
• Quality planting material and disease-free varieties remain limited.
• Market linkages, branding, and export competitiveness require strengthening.
• High perishability and post-harvest losses (~20–30% in fruits and vegetables).

Way Forward

• Infrastructure Strengthening: Expand cold chains, pack houses, and logistics.
• Cluster-Based Growth: Develop region-specific crop hubs to boost productivity and exports.
• Technology Adoption: Encourage precision farming, hydroponics, vertical farming, and protected cultivation.
• Value Addition: Promote processing industries for juices, frozen vegetables, and spices.
• Skill Development: Continuous training for farmers on global best practices.
• Research & Development: Focus on biofortified, climate-resilient, and pest-resistant horticultural varieties.
• Export Promotion: Branding and certification of Indian horticultural products for international markets.