India's 2023-24 Horticulture Production Sees Slight Decline Amid Sectoral Growth

India's horticulture production for 2023-24 is estimated at 353.19 million tonnes, a 0.65% decrease from last year. Despite the overall decline, key sectors like fruits, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants show growth. The Ministry of Agriculture's latest estimates highlight trends in various horticultural crops.

India's total horticulture production for the 2023-24 period is expected to reach 353.19 million tonnes, reflecting a slight decline of 0.65%, which equates to roughly 22.94 lakh tonnes less than the previous year's final estimate of 355.48 million tonnes. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, despite this overall drop, growth is notable in key horticultural sectors, including fruits, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.

The Ministry released the Third Advance Estimates for the area and production of various horticultural crops for the 2023-24 season. Compiled using data from States, Union Territories, and other governmental bodies, these estimates provide critical insights into trends across fruit, vegetable, and plantation crop production nationwide.

The area dedicated to horticultural crops has expanded to 28.98 million hectares for 2023-24, an increase from 28.63 million hectares in the Second Advance Estimates and 28.44 million hectares in 2022-23. Despite reduced total production from 355.48 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 353.19 million tonnes in 2023-24, fruit production is forecasted to rise by 2.29%, reaching an estimated 112.73 million tonnes, fueled by higher yields in mangoes, bananas, limes/lemons, grapes, and custard apples. Conversely, production declines in apples, sweet oranges, mandarins, guavas, litchis, pomegranates, and pineapples present a varied outlook for the fruit sector.

Overall vegetable production for 2023-24 is projected at approximately 205.80 million tonnes, indicating a balanced trend. Significant yield increases are expected for tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, tapioca, bottle gourds, pumpkins, cucumbers, bitter gourds, parwals, and okras, while declines are anticipated in staple crops such as potatoes, onions, brinjals, elephant foot yams, and capsicums. Notably, onion production is expected to attain 242.44 lakh tonnes despite regional challenges.

Potato production is projected at 570.49 lakh tonnes, marking a noticeable decline due to reduced output from pivotal states like Bihar and West Bengal. Tomato production is forecasted to rise by 4.38%, reaching 213.20 lakh tonnes compared to 204.25 lakh tonnes last year, likely stabilizing prices and benefiting both consumers and producers.

Estimates also reveal that the production of honey, flowers, spices, plantation crops, and aromatic and medicinal plants is on the rise, underscoring the increasing importance of these sub-sectors within India's horticultural framework.

(With inputs from agencies.)