Empowering Farmers by Strengthening Horticultural Sector

The word horticulture has been derived from the Latin word where hortus means garden and culture means cultivation.

- DR. BANARSI LAL

Horticulture is recognised as the sunrise industry:This sector plays a significant role in promoting the economy of the nation. India is highly favourable for growing a large number of horticultural crops because of its wide variability of climate and soil. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China. India contributes 10 and 13.4 per cent of fruits and vegetables in the world. India is the largest producer of mango and banana in the world producing 65 and 11 per cent of mango and banana of the world. India is the largest producer of cauliflower in the world. India is the largest producer of onions,ginger and okra among vegetables and ranks 2nd in production of potatoes,cauliflower,brinjal and cabbage in the world. India’s varied climate is suitable for the cultivation of more than 30 fruit trees and 40 vegetables. Horticulture covers only 6.1 per cent of gross cropped area but it contributes 18.8 per cent of gross value of agricultural output. Thus, horticulture is important in creating the employment, enhancing the profits and providing the nutritional and economic security to the farmers. It is estimated that 6.7 per cent growth rate in horticulture sector is must in order to achieve 4.0 per cent growth rate of agriculture. Government of India has strengthened the research and development activities in the horticulture sector. There is an increase in the demand of fruits and vegetables. So there is an urgent need to increase the production of fruits and vegetables. Horticulture is the fastest growing sector in agriculture.