India International Horti Expo

Horticulture sector contributes about 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA) making very significant contribution to the economy of India. It provides rural employment opportunities, diversification in farm activities, and income sources to farmers in addition to nutritional security of the nation. India is currently producing about 320.48 million tons of horticulture produce, that too from much less area as compared grains cultivation (25.66 million Ha. for horticulture against 127.6 M. ha. for food grains). Productivity of horticulture crops is as high as 12.49 tones/ha. India has emerged as world leader in the production of a variety of fruits like mango, banana, guava, papaya, sapota, pomegranate& lime and is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables.

Besides, India has maintained its dominance in the production of spices, coconut and cashewnut. Among the new crops, kiwi, gherkins, kinnow, date palm and oil palm have been successfully introduced for commercial cultivation in the country. Launch of National Horticulture Mission has spurred the production and productivity of horticultural crops. Productivity of horticultural crops has increased by about 38% between 2004-05 and 2019-20(2nd Advance Estimates). Increase in demand for horticultural produce due to greater health awareness, rising income, export demands and increasing population poses the challenge for further increasing the production and productivity of horticultural crops.