In 2014-15, India’s horticulture production stood at 281 million tonnes, over 30 million tonnes more than food grain production. “The scenario of horticulture crops in India has become very encouraging,” the survey said, adding that the share of horticulture in agricultural production was more than 33%.

The survey reported that over the past decade, the area under horticultural crops has grown by 2.7% per year, fuelling production, which increased at an annual pace of 7%. This came about as the share of Plan outlay for horticulture, which was 3.9% during the 9th Plan, increased to 4.6% during the 12th Plan (2012-2017). However, post-harvest wastage and losses are a key concern for the sector, the Economic Survey said, adding that the cumulative waste is very high and ranges between 5 and 20%.

Two consecutive droughts and freak weather in 2014 and 2015 dented India’s food grain production and worsened rural distress, but the Horticulture Sector escaped these weather shocks and registered record production in 2014-15.

In 2015-16, while food grain production is estimated at 253.2 million tonnes, horticultural output is expected to increase to 282.5 million tonnes.

A recent report, Horticultural Statistics at a Glance, 2015, released by India’s Agriculture Ministry, showed that most horticulture crops are grown with assured irrigation and, therefore, are more resilient to monsoon deficits.  Eight vegetables that make up 74% of the total vegetable production in the country have 73% access to irrigation. In comparison, only 50% of the area under food grain has access to irrigation.  Barring wheat, which is an irrigated crop, irrigation access varies from 16% for pulses to 59% for rice.

But despite higher production, the flip slide to the success story of horticulture is that farmers have been regularly affected by price slumps, especially during the harvest season of onions and potatoes.

Source: livemint.com