Date:23/01/2015
Horticulture production in India is boosted by rising demand and better storage & transport, fruits, vegetables, spices are among the new growth areas for Indian agriculture.
For the first time, total horticultural production, at 268.9 million tonne, surpassed foodgrain production, at 257.1 million tonne, in 2012-13.
Horticultural production includes fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, such as tea, coffee and rubber, and spices. While vegetable production contributes 60% to total horticultural production, fruits account for 30%.
India is home to a variety of fruits and vegetables, and is now the world’s second-largest producer. Agricultural land under horticultural cultivation has more than doubled over the last two decades.
In 1991-92, the total land under horticultural crops was reported to be 12.77 million hectares, which has increased to 23.69 million hectares by 2012-13, an increase of 85%. Total production has increased nearly 2.8 times during this period, with productivity increasing 1.5 times.
Famers could be moving towards horticultural production due to increased demand for healthy and fresh farm products in organised urban markets, itself a reflection of rising prosperity.
A higher shelf life of fruits and vegetables due to better refrigeration, transportation and accessibility to markets appears to have boosted horticultural production.
There has been a growth of 84% in total horticultural production from 2001-02 to 2012-'13. The total horticultural production reached 268.9 million tonne in 2012-'13, far ahead of total foodgrain production of 257.1 million tonnes in the country.
West Bengal tops horticultural production with 29.2 million tonnes followed by Andhra Pradesh recording 28.9 million tonnes.
Let us look at state-wise production of top two major horticultural contributors (i.e. fruits and vegetables) in the country.
Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer of fruits with 13.9 million tonnes, accounting for a 17% share in 2012-13. Maharashtra with 9.7 million tonnes (12%) was ranked second followed by Gujarat (8.4 million tonnes and 10%).
Total fruit production in the country increased 8.5% to 81 million tonnes between 2010-'11 and 2012-'13. India is the largest producer of mango, banana, papaya, sapota, pomegranate, lime and amla.
India grows more than 40 kinds of vegetables. West Bengal tops with a 15.7% share of total vegetable production in the country in 2012-'13. There has been an increase of 10.6% in total vegetable produce in the country from 2010-'11 to 2012-'13 with total output reaching 162 million tonnes.
Uttar Pradesh is the second largest producer of vegetables with 19 million tonnes followed by Bihar (16 million tonnes), Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with 12 million tonnes each.
Major vegetables grown in India include potato, tomato, onion, brinjal etc. India leads the world in the production of peas and okra, while it is ranked second in the production of brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage and onion.
India is also one of the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world, with around 50 species grown in the country.
Courtesy : Ministry of Agriculture
Date:01/12/2014
Recently integrated comprehensive tribal welfare policy planned by the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to address the problems of the “adivasis” across Maharashtra. This policy meant for better coordination with the multiple departments of centre and state to solve the problems of the minor community- adivasis across Maharashtra. The state government is also looking for the possibility of having a separate agriculture policy for the tribal farmers.
The finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is keen on taking up the projects on priority. The chief minister will conduct meeting with the union minister for agriculture Radhamohan Singh to take the proposal and central schemes for educational development of tribal belts.
Development of skill education and vocational courses in the tribal belt will help in new employment opportunities in the tribal region. The chief minister has indicated to the minister that the ten point programs listed in the Vision Document for the tribal development should be taken on priority by the government. There are various aspects of CM’s Vision Document which includes special training program for tribal youths, enabling employment opportunities in jungle tourism as we as adventure tourism etc. Eco-tourism will be emphasized in hilly areas.
The project of solar lamp in adivasi areas is also one of major project in vision document. This document includes plan of Boarding schools for the tribal children whose parents are migrant workers. Government will encourage other plans that intend to provide land and financial support to the non-government organizations floated by tribals in their own region.
Courtesy : www.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Date:06/07/2014
TSaba Firdous
Srinagar, June 4:
As horticulture is emerging as lucrative business, the growers in the valley are fast converting their paddy land into orchards.
According to the growers, horticulture has been more profitable than other agriculture activities especially cultivation of rice.
“Horticulture is more profitable than any other agriculture activity,” said Chairman Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association Ghulam Rasool Wagay.
Growers complain that paddy growing is more laborious than horticulture their family members are not willing to work in paddy fields.
Mohammad Akbar Sofi, a grower said, “People are not ready to work on paddy fields. Agriculture requires more hard work than horticulture. Horticulture is more profitable too.”
Sofi said there is no point in growing rice when it is imported at cheaper prices from outside the state to Valley.
“Very few people from Kashmir buy local rice which costs double that what is imported from outside,” Sofi added.
Director Horticulture PK Sharma said that growers prefer horticulture over other agriculture practices.
“Horticulture is less labor intensive. Growers earn more in horticulture than in agriculture,” said Sharma.
Director Agriculture, Mushtaq Peerzada, said they are trying their best to safeguard agriculture.
“We have introduced new methods of agriculture, new mechanism that is helpful for not only farmers but other educated youth who can contribute to the field of agriculture. This can help us where growers will also sustain in agriculture,” Mushtaq said.
As per the official figures, the horticulture contributes of about 300 lakh metric tons of production per annum, while more than 70% population is directly and indirectly involved in horticulture and allied activities.
The figures show that more than 7 crore boxes of fruit were exported per year, while 3 crore boxes were consumed in the domestic market.
There are 282 private registered nurseries of horticulture which produce 25 lakh plants per year with the income of Rs 9 crore. Over 5 lakh fruit plants were annually supplied to other States.
Each hectare of orchard generates employment of 400 man-days per year which is 13.80 crore man-days per annum.
Courtesy & Source : risingkashmir.com
