Understanding the Horticulture Sector in India | UPSC

Introduction

• The government has recently approved a Clean Plant Programme with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore to improve the quality of planting material for horticultural crops, aiming to boost exports and enhance farmers’ income. 

Definition

• Horticulture is both an art and a science, focusing on the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, condiments, ornamental plants, plantation crops, as well as medicinal and aromatic plants.
• It encompasses various activities such as plant physiology, genetics, propagation, and the management of plants and their environments to optimize growth and health.

Branches of Horticulture

• Floriculture: The science of growing flowers and ornamental plants.
• Olericulture: The branch dedicated to vegetable cultivation.
• Pomology: Focuses on the production and management of fruit crops.

Status of Horticulture in India

Diverse Agro-climatic Conditions: 

• • India’s vast and varied agro-climatic zones allow for the cultivation of a wide range of horticultural crops throughout the year. This enables the simultaneous production of tropical fruits like mangoes and temperate fruits like apples.

Global Standing:

• • India is the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, following China. The country leads in the production of several crops, including bananas, limes, lemons, papayas, and okra.

Contribution to Agriculture GVA:

• • The horticulture sector accounts for approximately 33% of India’s agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), despite utilizing only 13.1% of the gross cropped area.

Growth in Area and Production:

• • Between 2013-14 and 2023-24, the area under horticulture expanded from 24 million hectares to 28.63 million hectares. During this period, production increased from 277.4 million metric tonnes (MT) to 352 million MT.

Higher Productivity:

• • Horticultural crops in India boast higher productivity compared to food grains. For example, while horticulture produces approximately 12.49 tonnes per hectare, food grains yield around 2.23 tonnes per hectare.

Trade:

• • India is a significant player in the global trade of fresh fruits. In 2023-24, the country exported fresh fruits worth $1.15 billion and imported fruits valued at $2.73 billion.

Significance of the Horticulture Sector in India

Promotes Crop Diversification:

• • Horticulture encourages crop diversification, which aids in soil conservation, promotes resilient agriculture, and supports organic farming. 
  • For instance, crops like cashew and arecanut not only conserve soil but also enhance farmers’ income due to their high market value.

Employment Generation:

• • The horticulture sector is labor-intensive, creating numerous job opportunities across production, processing, and marketing stages. 
  • For example, one hectare of fruit production can generate around 860 man-days per annum, compared to just 143 man-days for cereal crops.

Combatting Malnutrition:

• • Increased production and consumption of fruits and vegetables play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition. 
  • For example, greater affordability of green leafy vegetables can help combat iron deficiency among women.

Expanding Export Basket:

• • Horticultural crops diversify India’s export portfolio, creating better opportunities for agricultural trade and opening up new markets for Indian produce.
  • India’s mangoes, particularly the Alphonso variety, are a significant export product. In 2023, India exported over 50,000 tonnes of mangoes to markets like the UAE, USA, and Europe, showcasing the diversity and potential of India’s horticultural exports. Similarly, India is the largest exporter of spices like pepper and cardamom, which further diversify the agricultural export basket.

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Boost to Food Processing Industry:

• • The potential for value addition in horticulture is high. This sector supports the growth of the food processing industry, such as through the processing of plantation crops like tea and coffee.
  • The Indian tea industry is a prime example of how horticulture supports the food processing sector. With states like Assam and West Bengal leading in tea production, the industry not only processes but also exports large quantities of tea globally. The coffee industry in Karnataka is another example, where coffee beans are processed and exported, contributing significantly to the food processing industry.

Climate Resilience:

• • Horticultural crops generally require less water and are more resilient to climate change compared to food crops, making them a sustainable choice for future agriculture.
  • The cultivation of drought-resistant crops like pomegranate and guava in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat has shown how horticulture can be more resilient to climate change. These crops require less water than traditional cereals and are more suited to withstand the erratic weather patterns resulting from climate change.

Stimulates Agri-Inputs Sector:

• • The growing demand for horticultural production boosts the agri-inputs sector, including seeds, agrochemicals, and fertilizers.
  • For instance, the vegetable seed market in India has seen rapid growth, with companies like Mahyco and Rasi Seeds leading the way in providing hybrid seeds for crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and chilies. This demand also boosts the agrochemical sector, with products like bio-fertilizers and plant growth regulators becoming more popular among horticulturalists

Challenges Facing the Horticulture Sector in India

 Pests and Diseases:

• • Horticultural crops are vulnerable to a range of pests and diseases, which can severely impact production. 
  • For example, blight fungus has been known to destroy potato crops, affecting both domestic consumption and exports.

 Fragmented Landholdings and Low Irrigation:

• • Small and fragmented landholdings, coupled with limited irrigation coverage, hinder economies of scale, leading to higher production costs and reduced competitiveness in global markets.
  • For instance, despite being a major producer of litchi, Bihar’s smallholders struggle with inadequate irrigation, leading to inconsistent yields and higher production costs. This affects the overall competitiveness of their produce in both domestic and international markets. 

High Post-Harvest Losses:

• • India faces significant post-harvest losses in horticulture, with 30-35% of fruits and vegetables perishing at various stages. Only about 2% of these crops are processed into value-added products.
  • A study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2022 highlighted that approximately 30% of the tomato crop in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is lost post-harvest due to inadequate storage and transportation facilities. Similarly, mangoes from Maharashtra often face significant losses during peak season due to a lack of cold storage and timely processing facilities. 

 Inadequate Infrastructure:

• • The sector suffers from a lack of post-harvest and marketing infrastructure, such as cold storage, refrigerated transport, and processing facilities, which limits its growth potential.
  • The state of Bihar, a leading producer of makhana (fox nuts), suffers from inadequate infrastructure, particularly in processing and storage. Farmers often face losses due to a lack of cold storage and proper packaging facilities, which could extend the shelf life and marketability of the crop. The absence of refrigerated transport also limits the ability to send fresh produce to distant markets. 

Small-Scale Processing Units:

• • The dominance of small-scale, low-capacity processing units hampers the export potential of Indian horticultural produce. 
  • In the food processing industry, particularly in states like Kerala, which is known for its spices and coconut products, the processing units are mostly small-scale. These units have limited capacity, typically processing only 50-250 tonnes per year. In contrast, multinational corporations in countries like Brazil or Spain operate with capacities ranging from 5 to 30 tonnes per hour, which allows them to be more competitive in the global market.

Marketing and Export Barriers:

• • Small farmers often lack the scale needed for efficient marketing and face barriers in exporting their produce due to stringent sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures imposed by importing countries.
  • Indian grape exporters in Maharashtra have faced challenges in accessing the European market due to stringent sanitary and phyto-sanitary regulations. Despite being one of the largest grape producers, India struggles with meeting the export quality standards required by the EU, leading to barriers in market access. 

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Government Initiatives in the Horticulture Sector

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):

• • A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at the holistic growth of the horticulture sector, covering a wide range of crops from fruits and vegetables to aromatic plants.

CHAMAN:

• • This program uses geoinformatics for the estimation of area and production under horticultural crops, enhancing data accuracy and resource management.

Clean Plant Programme (CPP):

• • Aims to improve the quality of fruit crops by providing disease-free mother plants, ensuring healthier and more productive orchards.

Horticulture Cluster Development Programme:

• • Focused on developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive, implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB).

Operation Greens:

• • Modeled after Operation Flood, this initiative targets the development of tomato, onion, and potato (TOP) crops to stabilize prices and promote processing.

Mega Food Parks:

• • These are being established to enhance processing facilities and infrastructure, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and boosting exports.

Way Forward for the Horticulture Sector

• • Seed Variety Improvement: Investing in agronomic and genetic seed innovations is essential to enhance the shelf life and quality of horticultural produce, thus expanding its geographical footprint.
  • Integrated Farming Models: Adopting the 1.0 Hectare Model of Integrated Farming, which includes diversified cropping, livestock integration, and water conservation, can significantly boost productivity and sustainability in horticulture.
  • Strengthening Partnerships: Collaboration between farmers, government, industry, and academia is crucial for the sector’s growth. For example, leveraging CSR grants for horticultural research can drive innovation and development.
  • Promoting Horticultural Exports: The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative can be leveraged to scale up horticultural production and processing, thereby boosting exports. For instance, focused development of litchi in Bihar and strawberries in Bundelkhand could create niche markets.
  • Technological Integration: Embracing digital technologies like AI, IoT, and machine learning can address challenges in the horticultural value chain, from production to market linkages. For example, IoT can be used for precision agriculture to optimize resource use and enhance crop yields.