📈Current Scenario

Current Status (Final Figures)

• India is second largest producer of horticultural crops. India trails only China in total horticultural production, making it a global leader in this sector.
• The scenario of horticulture crops in India has become very encouraging. The percentage share of horticulture GDP to Agriculture has become 32%. (NHB) This means nearly one-third of the total agricultural GDP comes from horticulture, highlighting the growing economic importance of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices.
• Cold Storage: UP (2368) > GJ (890) > PB (672) in 2017-18. Uttar Pradesh leads the country in cold storage infrastructure, which is critical for reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring year-round availability of perishable produce.

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Crop	Million Tonnes (2017-18)
Fruits	97.35
Vegetables	184.39
Total Horticultural Production	311.50

• In 2017-18, the total horticulture production was highest in case of Uttar Pradesh (392.48 Lakh Tonnes) followed by West Bengal (324.2 Lakh Tonnes). UP’s dominance is driven by its large area under vegetable cultivation, particularly potato.
• The total production of fruits is highest in case of Andhra Pradesh (152.15 Lakh Tonnes) followed by Maharashtra (117.28 Lakh Tonnes). AP leads in fruit production primarily due to large-scale cultivation of mango, banana, and citrus.
• Apart from nutritional benefits, the production of vegetables improves the economy of a country as these are very good source of income and employment. The contribution of vegetables remains highest (59 – 61%) in horticulture crop productions over the last five years. This underscores that vegetables are the backbone of India’s horticulture sector.

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| Category | % share in output | |---|---| | Vegetables | 59.2 | | Fruits | 31.2 | | Plantation Crops | 5.8 | | Spices | 2.6 | | Flowers & aromatic Crops | 1.2 | - During 2017-18 the area under **vegetables** was `10.26 Million Hectares` with a production of `184.40 Million Tonnes` in India. - For this period the total vegetable production was highest in case of `Uttar Pradesh` followed by **West Bengal**. - India witnessed the shift in area **from food grain** towards horticulture crops over last five years (from 2012-13 to 2017-18). The production of Horticulture crops have **outpaced** the production of food grain since 2012-13. This is a significant trend showing that farmers are increasingly diversifying from traditional food grains to **high-value horticulture crops** for better returns.

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3rd Advance Estimate NHB 2018-19

• There is a marginal increase in the area under horticulture crops. The area in 2018-19 is estimated to be 25.49 million hectares (mh) as compared to 25.43 mh in 2017-18. This shows a steady expansion of horticulture area.
• There is a marginal increase in the production of horticultural crops from 311.7 to 313.85 milllion tonnes. The increase in production has been driven by both area expansion and improved productivity through better varieties and management practices.
• Vegetables occupying an area of 10.10 million ha with total production of 187.37 milllion tonnes with average productivity of 18.56 tonnes/ha. Vegetable productivity has been steadily improving due to adoption of hybrid seeds, protected cultivation, and drip irrigation.

Crop	Area (m ha) 2017-18	Area (m ha) 2018-19	Production (m MT) 2017-18	Production (m MT) 2018-19	Productivity (MT/ha) 2017-18	Productivity (MT/ha) 2018-19
Vegetables	10.26	10.44	184.39	187.74	17.97	17.96
Fruits	6.50	6.53	97.35	96.75	14.96	14.82
Plantation Crops	3.74	3.76	18.08	17.99	4.83	4.78
Spices	3.88	4.09	8.12	8.59	2.09	2.10
Flowers	0.324	0.339	2.78	2.85	8.60	8.43
Aromatic & Medicinal Crops	0.720	0.717	0.87	0.89	1.20	1.24
Others	-	-	105	113	-	-
Total	25.44	25.87	311.72	314.67	12.26	12.16

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Fruits (2017-18 NHB)

• India ranked second in fruit production (China > India > Brazil). India is the second largest fruit producer in the world, and fruits play a vital role in nutritional security and rural livelihoods.
• Total fruit production: 97.35 MT
• Area under fruit production: 6.53 M ha
• Productivity of fruit crops: 14.96 tonnes/ha.
• India is first in the production of fruits like Mango, Banana, Sapota, Pomegranate and Aonla. These are crops where India has a global leadership position.
• Grapes occupy premier position in exports with 188.2 thousand tonnes. Indian grapes, especially Thompson Seedless and its clones, are in high demand in European and Middle Eastern markets.
• Other fruits which have attained position in exports are banana and mango.
• India import fresh fruits & vegetables from: US > Afghanistan > Iran
• India import processed fruits & vegetables from: Afghanistan > China > US
• Largest fruit producing state:

A.P. > M.H. > U.P.

• Fruits leading in area:

Mango > Citrus > Banana > Apple

• Leading in production:

Banana > Mango > Citrus > Apple

It is important to note that while mango leads in area, banana leads in production due to its much higher productivity per hectare compared to mango.

Fruit	Production	Major Export Destination
Mango	Uttar Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh	UAE > UK > Saudi Arab
Banana	Andhra Pradesh	UAE > Oman > Iran
Mandarin	Madhya Pradesh
Sweet Orange	Andhra Pradesh
Lime/Lemon	Gujarat
Sapota	Karnataka > MH
Grapes	Maharashtra	Netherland
Pomegranate	Maharashtra
Guava	Uttar Pradesh
Papaya	Andhra Pradesh	UAE > Saudi Arab > Qatar
Pineapple	West Bengal NABARD 2018-19
Strawberry	Haryana
Apple	J & K
Aonla	J & K
Walnut	J & K

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Vegetables (2017-18 NHB)

• India ranked second in the vegetable production after China. India is the second largest vegetable producer globally.
• Total vegetable production: 184.40 Million Tones.
• Area under vegetable: 10.27 Million ha.
• Productivity of Vegetables: 17.97 tonnes/ha.
• India is first in the production of pea and okra and second in production of brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and onion and third in potato and tomato in the world. These rankings reflect India’s strong position in global vegetable production.
• Total vegetable production:

Uttar Pradesh > West Bengal > M.P.

• Vegetables leading in area:

Potato > Onion > Tomato > Brinjal

• Leading in production:

Potato > Onion > Tomato > Brinjal

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Flowers

• India has also made remarkable advancements in production of flowers, particularly cut flowers, which have a high potential for exports. The floriculture industry has emerged as an important commercial activity contributing significantly to the economy.
• Floriculture during 2018-19 (1st Advance Estimate) covered an area of 0.34 million ha with production of 2.86 million MT of flowers.
• The highest production of Flowers was recorded in Tamil Nadu (482.52 Thousand Tonnes) followed by Andhra Pradesh (428.95 Thousand Tonnes). Tamil Nadu leads due to its favourable climate and well-established flower markets, especially for jasmine and marigold.
• Area of flower:

J&K > KL > TN

Marigold > Rose > Chrysanthemum

• India import flowers from: Netherland > Thilland > China. The Netherlands is the global hub for floriculture trade.
• Export of flowers from India: US > Netherland > UK

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Aromatic & Medicinal Plants

• Production: RJ > TN > MP
• Area: RJ > UP > MP

Rajasthan leads in both area and production of aromatic and medicinal plants due to its large cultivation of crops like isabgol (psyllium husk), senna, and various aromatic grasses.

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Spices

• India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices and spice products, the total production of spices during 2018-19 (1st Advance Estimate) was 8.59 m MT from an area of 4.06 m ha. India is often called the “Land of Spices” and has historically been the global centre of the spice trade.
• Area:

Cumin > Chillies > Coriander

• Production:

Chillies > Garlic > Turmeric

• Largest total spices producing state: M.P. (15%) > Raj (14%) > A.P. (13%)
• Largest Seed Spices producing state: Rajasthan. Rajasthan’s arid climate is well-suited for seed spices like cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and fennel.

Spices	Production
Chilies (Dried)	Andhra Pradesh
Cumin	Gujarat > Rajasthan
Coriander	Madhya Pradesh > Rajasthan
Garlic	Rajasthan > Madhya Pradesh
Ginger	Maharashtra
Turmeric	Telangana
Tamarind	Karnataka

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Plantation Crops

• Area: Coconut > Cashewnut > Arecanut
• Production: Coconut > Arecanut > Cashewnut
• State (Production): Kerala > KR > TN

Kerala is the leading state for plantation crops, especially coconut and rubber. Plantation crops are characterized by their perennial nature, large-scale cultivation, and significant contribution to export earnings.

Crop	Production
Coconut	Kerala
Arecanut	Karnataka
Cashewnut	Maharashtra
Cocoa	Andhra Pradesh
Coffee	Karnataka
Tea	Assam
Rubber	Kerala

• India is the seventh largest producer of coffee, after Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Honduras.
• India accounts for around 2 per cent of the area and 3.7 per cent of the global coffee production.
• The total production in India stood at 3,12,000 MT in 2016-17, of which Robusta variety accounted for 217000 MT (70%) and Arabica accounted for 95000 MT (30%). Coffee cultivation in India is concentrated in the Western Ghats region, primarily in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

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During the period 2007-08 to 2018-19 (1st Advance Estimate)

• Horticulture crops cover an area of 25.87 million ha (m. Ha) at present by registering increase of about 28% as compared to 20.20 m. ha in 2007-08. This significant area expansion reflects the government’s push through programmes like NHM and MIDH.
• However, with a production of about 314.67 million MT) horticulture production has witnessed an increase of about 49% during the period 2007-08 to 2018-19 (1st Advance Estimate). The fact that production grew much faster (49%) than area (28%) indicates significant improvement in productivity during this period.
• Interventions in horticulture in the country have led to increase per capita availability of fruits from 158 gm/person/day in 2007-08 to 207.9 gm/person/day in 2017-18. This is encouraging as it moves closer to the WHO recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.
• Similarly, per capita availability of vegetables has increased from 309 gm/person/day in 2007-08 to 393.76 gm/person/day in 2017-18.

Year	Area (000 Ha)	Production (m MT)	Productivity (MT/Ha)
2007-08	20.20	211.23	10.45
2016-17	24.85	300.64	12.10
2017-18	25.43	311.71	12.26
2018-19 (1st Adv. Est.)	25.87	314.67	12.16

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Interventions in Horticultural Sector by GoI

National Horticultural Mission (NHM)

• The Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing the centrally sponsored NHM for the holistic development of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategy in 2005-06. NHM was a landmark initiative that provided financial support to farmers for establishing orchards, nurseries, protected cultivation structures, and post-harvest infrastructure.
• 18 states and the 4 UTs are covered under the Mission except the 7 north-eastern states & 3 Himalayan states (J&K, Himachal & UK).
• The latter are covered under the Horticulture Mission for the North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH). This separate mission was created to address the unique challenges of hilly and north-eastern terrain.
• Now the scheme has been subsumed as a part of Mission for Integration Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during 2014-15. MIDH consolidated all existing horticulture schemes under one umbrella for better coordination and efficiency.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Sub Schemes of MIDH:
  • NHM
  • HMNEH
  • National Horticultural Board (NHB), Gurugram
  • Coconut Development Board (CDB), Kochi
  • Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH): Established at Medizipehima, Nagaland in 2006-07 for providing technical back stopping through capacity building and training of farmers and Field functionaries in the North Eastern Region.
  • National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
• A Centrally Sponsored scheme.
• Government of India (GOI) contributes 85% of total outlay for developmental programs in all the states except the states in North East and Himalayas, 15% share is contributed by State Governments. This 85:15 funding pattern ensures that the central government bears the major share of the financial burden.
• In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GOI contribution is 100%. The 100% central funding for these regions reflects the government’s commitment to developing horticulture in these remote and challenging areas.
• Similarly, for development of bamboo and programmes of National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland and the National Level Agencies (NLA), GOI contribution will be 100%.

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Coconut Development Board (CDB)

• Coconut Development Board is statutory body established by GoI by an Act of Parliament (Coconut Development Board Act 1979) and came in to existence in January 1981. It is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala.
• The coconut palm provide food security and livelihood opportunities to more than 12 million people in India. Coconut is often called the “Tree of Life” because every part of the tree has economic value.
• As per all India estimate for the year 2017-18, the area and production of coconut in the country is 2.099 million hectares and 24.38 billion nuts respectively.
• The productivity of coconut at national level for 2017-18 is 11,616 nuts per hectare.

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National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

• The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented the centrally sponsored NBM in 27 states in the country in 2006-07. Bamboo is an important non-timber forest product with immense potential for rural livelihoods.
• The mission aims to promote holistic growth of the bamboo sector by adopting an area-based, regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing. Under the Mission, steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of existing ones. To address forward integration, the Mission is taking steps to strengthen marketing of bamboo products, especially those of handicraft items.
• The Government’s goal in the bamboo sector is being achieved with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders of the Bamboo Mission. Keeping in consideration the importance of bamboo, the Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in the year 2017 to remove bamboo for the category of trees, as a result now anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products. This was a historic amendment that freed bamboo cultivation from restrictive forest regulations.
• The Restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the complete value chain of the sector. The Mission is being implemented in a hub (industry) and spoke model, with the main goal of connecting farmers to markets so as to enable farmer producers to get a ready market for the bamboo grown and to increase supply of appropriate raw material to domestic industry.
• The Mission was launched as a natural corollary of the historic amendment of the Indian Forest Act in 2017, removing bamboo from the definition of trees, hence bamboo grown outside forests no longer need felling and transit permissions. This has significantly boosted bamboo cultivation on private lands.
• New Logo released for NBM:

Summary Cheat Sheet

Concept / Topic	Key Details
India’s rank in fruits	2nd largest producer (after China)
India’s fruit production	~100 million tonnes
India’s fruit area	~7 million hectares
Largest area fruit in India	Mango
Highest production fruit	Banana
Leading state (mango)	Uttar Pradesh (area); Andhra Pradesh (production)
Leading state (banana)	Andhra Pradesh / Tamil Nadu
Leading state (citrus)	Andhra Pradesh
Leading state (apple)	Jammu & Kashmir
Leading state (grapes)	Maharashtra
Leading state (coconut)	Kerala (area); Karnataka (production)
India’s contribution to world	~12% of world fruit production
NHB	National Horticulture Board; promotes horticulture development
NHM	National Horticulture Mission; area expansion + technology
MIDH	Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture