India’s horticulture output has outpaced the production of foodgrains for the third year in a row in 2014-15 despite a deficit monsoon, unseasonal rains and hailstorms. Besides, horticulture production also showed continuous increase unlike foodgrain output which reported a decline in 2014-15 as
compared to 2013-14. The figures are part of the horticultural statistics, released by the agriculture ministry. The report – Horticultural Statistics at a Glance 2015 – shows that while Maharashtra is on top of the list of leading fruitproducing states, West Bengal is at top in terms of vegetable production in 2013-14. Similarly, Tamil Nadu is the top flower producing state while Gujarat is the leading spices producing state. Tamil Nadu is also at the top in the list of plantationproducing states in the same year. Horticultural crops comprise fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, flowers, spices and aromatics, while the foodgrains basket contains wheat, rice, coarse cereals, oil seeds and pulses. Noting the consumption pattern, the publication said that the nutritional intake from fruits and vegetables is higher among urban population than that of rural population. Releasing the first issue of such detailed compilation, comprising district-wise statistics of horticultural output in the country, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said, “The data would help policy planners, farmers and other stakeholders.” The publication notes that India has witnessed voluminous increase in horticulture production over the last few years. “Significant progress has been made in area expansion resulting in higher production”, it says. Data show that fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90% of the total horticulture production in India which is, at present, the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. The country is, in fact, the leader in several horticultural crops including mango, banana, papaya, cashew nut, areca nut, potato and lady’s finger. On the export front, the report notes that grapes occupy the premier position with 107.3 thousand tonnes worth Rs 1,08,649 lakh of exports, followed by banana and mango. Even exports of fresh vegetables have been on the rise. The publication presents a comprehensive picture of the Indian horticulture sector by using statistical data across states, districts and time periods, covering diverse aspects such as area, production, productivity, growth trends, percentage share and value of output for major horticultural crops. Other aspects covered are outlays and expenditure under horticultural activities, monthly series of prices and arrivals over past year in respect of onion, potato and tomato; inputs for horticultural crops; exports and imports; infrastructure availability and India’s position in world scenario of horticulture
production.
(Source: The Times of India, Mumbai, January 1, 2016)