These clusters will be set up in the next five years to boost farm income.
About horticulture cluster
- It is defined as a regional/ geographical concentration of targeted horticulture crops.
- Benefits of HC
- Reduce harvest and post-harvest losses, facilitates innovative technologies
- Facilitate stakeholders in the global value chains.
- Offers specialization in production, post-harvest management, marketing and exports.
Status of horticulture of India
- It contributes about 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA).
- India ranks 2nd in fruits and vegetable production in the world after China.
- Production in the country in 2022-23 is about 355.48 Million Tonnes.
- India's share in the global market is nearly 1% only.
Challenges
Lack of high-quality seedlings and rootstock, persistent pests, climate change affecting crop productivity and overall financial viability
Steps Taken by the government
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
- 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
