THE SEEDS OF A REVOLUTION
India Today|August 26, 2024
Horticulture, raised in a third of our cultivable area, already surpasses foodgrains in production. Now it strives to be the game-changer in agri exports
Amarnath K. Menon
THE SEEDS OF A REVOLUTION

India ranks second globally, after China, in horticulture production now, but still has phenomenal potential to grow as the fresh fruits and vegetable basket for the world. In 2023-24, the country produced 112.6 million tonnes (MT) of fruits and 205 MT of vegetables. We already lead in the production of banana, mango and papaya among fruits, and onion, ginger and okra among vegetables. The problem is in exports.

In 2023-24, we exported fresh fruits and vegetables worth $1.8 billion (Rs 15,039 crore), and processed fruits and vegetables (including pulses) worth $2.5 billion (Rs 20,623 crore), says the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). But India's share in the global horticulture produce market is still a measly 1.1 per cent. Initiatives to create state-of-the-art cold chain infrastructure and quality assurance measures are on, but there is still a long way to go. "Farmers play an essential role in our lives, but their needs are not a priority. They do not have an export market for produce and have been reduced to mere vote banks," says P. Chengal Reddy, farm reforms campaigner and secretary-general, Confederation of Indian Farmers Associations, emphasising that horticulture exports can be a catalyst in transforming lives.

Horticulture is already a significant player in agricultural growth, contributing 30.4 per cent to the agriculture gross domestic product (GDP) while using only 13.1 per cent of the gross cropped area. It also contributes about 33 per cent to the agriculture GVA (gross value added), making a significant contribution to the Indian economy.

Indeed, if the area under horticulture cultivation goes up by 50 per cent, it could by itself deliver on the long-promised 'doubling of farmers' incomes'. India has also emerged as the fifth largest country in terms of organic agricultural area-2.3 million acres-and is also home to the world's largest number of organic farmers.

Denne historien er fra August 26, 2024-utgaven av India Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 26, 2024-utgaven av India Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA INDIA TODAYSe alt
Decoupling Dilemma
India Today

Decoupling Dilemma

As Tensions Between India And China Thaw And The Trade Between Them Grows, India Faces The Tough Task Of Keeping Cheap Chinese Imports At Bay While Encouraging Those That Its Domestic Industry Needs

time-read
6 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Killer Stress
India Today

Killer Stress

Unhealthy work practices in Indian companies are taking a toll on employees, triggering health issues and sometimes even death

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 25, 2024
Shuttle Star
India Today

Shuttle Star

Ashwini Ponnappa was the only Indian to compete in the inaugural edition of BDMNTN-XL, a new international badminton tourney with a new format, held in Indonesia

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
There's No Planet B
India Today

There's No Planet B

All Living Things-Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) returns with 72 films to be screened across multiple locations from Nov. 22 to Dec. 8

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
AMPED UP AND UNPLUGGED
India Today

AMPED UP AND UNPLUGGED

THE MAHINDRA INDEPENDENCE ROCK FESTIVAL PROMISES AN INTERESTING LINE-UP OF OLD AND NEW ACTS, CEMENTING ITS REPUTATION AS THE 'WOODSTOCK OF INDIA'

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
A Musical Marriage
India Today

A Musical Marriage

Faezeh Jalali has returned to the Prithvi Theatre Festival with Runaway Brides, a hilarious musical about Indian weddings

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
India Today

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

Nikhil Advani’s adaptation of Freedom at Midnight details our tumultuous transition to an independent nation

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Family Saga
India Today

Family Saga

RAMONA SEN's The Lady on the Horse doesn't lose its pace while narrating the story of five generations of a family in Calcutta

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
THE ETERNAL MOTHER
India Today

THE ETERNAL MOTHER

Prayaag Akbar's new novel delves into the complexities of contemporary India

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
TURNING A NEW LEAF
India Today

TURNING A NEW LEAF

Since the turn of the century, we have lost hundreds of thousands of trees. Many had stood for centuries, weathering storms, wars, droughts and famines.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024