Why in the news? 

Cabinet approved scheme for Sustainable development of Horticulture with a total outlay of Rs 1129.30 crore. 

More on the News

• The scheme aimed at increasing farmers’ income from horticulture plants comprises the following - 
  • Tropical, sub-tropical and temperate horticulture crops
  • Root, tuber, bulbous and arid crops
  • Vegetable, floriculture, and mushroom crops
  • Plantation, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants
• Recently the government also approved a Rs 1,766-crore ‘Clean Plant Programme’ under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to boost horticulture sector. 

About Clean Plant Programme (CPP) Aim: Promote sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices and reduce dependence on imported planting materials It will boost India’s horticultural sector while aligning with Mission LiFE and the One Health initiatives. Implementing agency: National Horticulture Board in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Three Core Components:  9 world class state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs. Certification Framework, supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act 1966. Support for large-scale nurseries for the development of infrastructure.

About Horticulture Sector

• It is a vast and diverse field that encompasses the cultivation, production, processing, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. 
• Major types of horticulture: Pomology [Fruit cultivation and includes Viticulture (grape cultivation)]; Olericulture (cultivation of vegetables); Floriculture (cultivation of flowers and ornamental plant); Arboriculture (cultivation of trees and shrubs).

Status of India’s Horticulture Sector

• Production: 355.48 Million Tonnes in 2022-23, 13.1% of the gross cropped area. 
  • Fruits and vegetables account for almost 90% of India’s total horticulture production.
• Contribution to Agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA): 33% 
• Global Status: India ranks 2^nd in fruits and vegetable production in the world after China.
  • According to FAO (2022), India is the largest producer of Onions, ginger and okra among vegetables and ranks 2^nd in production of Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Brinjal, Cabbages, etc.
  •  Amongst fruits, the country ranks 1^st in the production of Bananas, Mangoes and Papayas.
• Exports:  India is ranked 14th in vegetables and 23rd in fruits.

Other Initiatives Undertaken for the sector

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (2014): Centrally Sponsored Scheme, for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector with 2 sub-schemes -
  • National Horticulture Mission (2005-06): aims at holistic development of horticulture sector by ensuring forward & backward linkage through a cluster approach under Horticulture Cluster Development Programme. 
  • Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States. 
• Agriculture Ministry announced Rs 18,000 cr for 100 export oriented horticulture clusters.
• Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geoinformatics (CHAMAN): To develop and firm up scientific methodology for estimation of area and production under horticulture crops.
• Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme: for construction/ expansion/ modernization of Cold Storages/Storages of Horticulture Products. 
• Commercial cultivation: During 2022-23, 347 varieties/hybrids of 44 crops were released, and 99 varieties of horticultural crops were notified for commercial cultivation.

Challenges 

• Low Export share: India’s share in the global horticultural market is a mere 1 %. 
  • Indian exports face food safety and standards related issues due to non-tariff trade barriers like Sanitary and phytosanitary measures. 
  • E.g., pesticide residue has led to rejection of exports in key markets like the EU. 
• Infrastructure Deficit: Poor logistics and lack of equitable cold storage and warehousing facilities contribute to delays and wastages as Horticulture crops are highly perishable.
  • Cold storage distribution among the states is inequitable, with around 59% of the storage capacity (i.e., 21 MMT) present in 4 states Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Punjab. 
• Small operational landholdings: They limit the amount of land available for cultivation, for crop rotation and sustainable soil management resulting in reduced yields and decreased soil fertility.
• Other challenges: Limited value addition; Lack of irrigation; Pests & diseases; limited outreach of farm insurance & farm mechanization; lack of access to institutional credit especially to small & marginal farmers; climate change-induced extreme weather events and changes in weather patterns etc.

Way Forward     

• Capacity-building initiatives at the level of the farmer, the processor and the exporter for meeting all mandatory requirements as per international standards, such as global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
• Improving Value Chain Efficiency by expanding cold storage capacity; investing in better roads, railways, and transportation infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Encourage the development of value-added horticultural products, such as processed foods, juices, and jams, to increase market demand and farmer income.
• Encourage entrepreneurship in the horticulture sector to create new businesses and job opportunities.
• Promote agricultural technologies, such as precision agriculture, hydroponics, and tissue culture, to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Develop and promote climate-smart agricultural practices that are resilient to changing weather patterns.
• Other: Promoting integrated pest & disease management, water-saving technologies and practices, farm mechanization, expanding access to institutional credit etc.