Horticulture Sector In India

Horticulture Sector in India

• 23 Sep 2019
• 10 min read

Why in News?

• Recently, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare released the Third Advanced Estimate (2018-19) of Area and Production of various Horticulture Crops.
• As per the report, the total horticulture production in the country is estimated to be 313.85 million tonnes which is 0.69% higher than the horticulture production of 311.71 million tonnes in 2017-18.
• The area under horticulture crops has increased to 25.49 million hectares in 2018-19 from 25.43 million hectares in 2017-18.

What is Horticulture?

• Horticulture is the branch of agriculture concerned with intensively cultured plants directly used by man for food, medicinal purposes and aesthetic gratification.
• In simpler words, it is cultivation, production and sale of vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, ornamental or exotic plants.
• The term Horticulture is derived from the Latin words hortus (garden) and cultūra (cultivation).
• L.H. Bailey is considered the Father of American Horticulture and M.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.

Classification

• Pomology: Planting, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing of fruit and nut crops.
• Olericulture: Producing and marketing vegetables.
• Arboriculture: Study, selection and care of individual trees, shrubs or other perennial woody plants.
• Ornamental Horticulture: It has two subparts-
  • Floriculture: Production, use and marketing of floral crops.
  • Landscape Horticulture: Production and marketing of plants used to beautify the outdoor environment.

  
  

Features of Horticulture in India

• Horticulture sector has become one of the major drivers of growth as it is more remunerative than the agricultural sector (food grains mainly).
• This sector provides employment possibilities across primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.
• Horticulture crops, fruits are more resilient to change in weather conditions and the vegetables augment the income of small and marginal farmers.
• Water utilisation is very low, minimising the risk of crop failure and it can be done on smaller farms.
• Multiple crops are planted simultaneously to get more yield and to use the maximum of the fertilisers.
• This sector enables the population to eat a diverse and balanced diet for a healthy lifestyle.
• It became a key driver for economic development in many of the states in the country where Division of Horticulture of Indian Council of Agricultural Research is playing a pivotal role.

Achievements

• In the last few decades, this sector has gained prominence over contributing a growing share in Gross Value Addition of the Agriculture and allied sectors.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is being implemented by adopting an end to end approach for increasing production of horticulture crops and reducing post-harvest losses.

• The production of fruits and vegetables has overcome the production of food grains in the country.
• The total horticulture production has increased from 211.2 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 311.71 million tonnes in 2018-19.
• India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world with first rank in the production of Banana, Mango, Lime & Lemon, Papaya and Okra.

• The varieties tolerant/resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses have been developed in different fruits, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants.
• Improved techniques for production of disease free quality planting materials have been developed. Micro propagation techniques have been standardized for various fruits, spices and other vegetatively propagated plants.
• Technology for enhancing the water and nutrient efficiency through micro irrigation and fertigation has been developed for a number of horticultural crops.
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are developed for various plants, especially medicinal.
• Farm mechanization to increase harvesting and processing efficiency and to reduce crop loss has been implemented by developing horticulturalists.
• Low cost environment friendly cool chamber was developed for on-farm storage of fruits and vegetables.
• For dissemination of technologies, region and crop specific training and demonstration programmes are being taken up.

Challenges

• Horticulture does not enjoy a safety net like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for foodgrains.
• Lack of good cold chain storage and transport networks to extend the life of perishable products.
• Very less or limited input by machinery and equipment so it is tough to minimise the time restraints.
• Higher input costs than foodgrains make it a difficult set up, especially when there is no support from the local governments to the smaller farmers.
• It gets challenging for marginal farmers to cope with the high price fluctuations.
• Limited availability of market intelligence, mainly for exports makes it a tougher option to choose.

Suggestions

• Achieve technology led development in Horticulture.
• Post harvest & value addition in horticulture crops.
• Modified atmosphere packaging for long storability & transportation of fruits & vegetables.
• Insect pollinators for improving productivity and quality of the crops.
• Development of varieties for cultivation in non-traditional areas.
• Nutrient dynamics and interaction.
• Bioenergy and solid waste utilisation to make horticulture more efficient and eco-friendly.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor R&D programmes at national level as well as to serve as knowledge repository in Horticulture sector.

Way Forward

• The diversification in the agricultural sector mainly of the horticulture sector has become a major source of positive growth for the sector itself and for the nation.
• It has emerged as a promising source of income acceleration, employment generation, poverty alleviation and export promotion.
• India can emerge as a far bigger producer and exporter if sufficient emphasis is given to resource allocation, infrastructure development, more R&D, technological upgradation and better policy framework for horticulture sector.
• Horticulture sector with strong forward and backward linkages as an organised industry can stimulate and sustain growth.

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