Horticulture output outpaced foodgrain production since 2012-13

The share of horticulture output in agriculture has increased to more than 33 per cent over the last decade while the area under horticulture grew by about 2.7 per cent per annum and annual production increased by 7 per cent.

The scenario of horticulture production in India has been very encouraging and the share of horticulture in the annual plan outlay for agriculture and allied activities has increased to 4.6 per cent during the Twelfth Plan from 3.9 per cent during the Ninth Plan, according to the Economic Survey 2015-16.

The percentage share of horticulture output in agriculture is more than 33 per cent, finance minister Arun Jaitley emphasized while presenting the report.

Over the last decade, the area under horticulture in the country grew by about 2.7 per cent per annum and annual production increased by 7.0 per cent. During 2013-14, production of horticulture crops was about 283.5 million tonnes from an area of 24.2 million hectares.

Out of the six categories, ie, fruits, vegetables, flowers, aromatic plants, spices and plantation crops, the highest annual growth of 9.5 per cent was recorded in fruit production during 2013-14. Production of vegetables has increased from 58.53 million tonnes to 167. 06 million tonnes between 1991-92 and 2014-15.

India witnessed sharper increase in acreage in horticulture crops compared to food grains over the last five years (from 2010-11 to 2014-15) the area under horticulture crops increased by around 18 per cent compared to an expansion of area under food grains by 5 per cent during the period. Production of horticulture crops has outpaced the production of food grain since 2012-13.