Horticulture Production in India 2023-24: Key Insights from Second Advance Estimates
India's horticulture sector has witnessed significant changes in production in the 2023-24 season. According to the Second Advance Estimates released by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total horticulture production is expected to reach 352.23 million tonnes. This figure marks a slight decrease compared to the previous year, with a drop of 0.91% (32.51 lakh tonnes). Let's take a closer look at the data and the key highlights.
Table of Contents
Overview of Horticulture Production 2023-24
The Second Advance Estimates of horticulture production for the year 2023-24 have been compiled based on information from various states, Union Territories, and government agencies. The total area under horticulture has decreased slightly from 28.77 million hectares (First Advance Estimate) to 28.63 million hectares.
| Year | Area (Million Ha) | Production (Million Tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 28.44 | 355.48 |
| 2023-24 (1st Est.) | 28.77 | 355.25 |
| 2023-24 (2nd Est.) | 28.63 | 352.23 |
The overall decrease in production is primarily due to lower vegetable output, while fruits, spices, and other horticultural crops have seen moderate growth.
Fruit Production Trends
The production of fruits in 2023-24 is expected to reach 112.63 million tonnes, an increase driven by higher yields in crops like banana, mango, lime/lemon, guava, and grapes. However, apples and pomegranates have seen a decline compared to last year.
Key Fruit Production Highlights:
- Banana, Lime/Lemon, Mango, Guava, and Grapes: These crops have seen a significant increase in production, contributing to the overall rise in fruit output.
- Apple and Pomegranate: The production of these fruits is expected to decrease, potentially due to unfavourable weather conditions and other agricultural challenges.
Vegetable Production Trends
In contrast to fruits, vegetable production is expected to drop slightly, with an estimated 204.96 million tonnes in 2023-24. Several major vegetable crops are facing a decrease in production, especially onion, potato, and brinjal. However, some vegetables like bottlegourd, bittergourd, cabbage, and tomato have shown positive growth.
Key Vegetable Production Highlights:
Increase: Crops like bottlegourd, bittergourd, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, tapioca, carrot, and tomato are expected to see an increase in production.
Decrease: Onion, potato, and brinjal are facing a sharp decline, contributing to the overall decrease in vegetable production.
Onion Production: The production of onions is expected to fall significantly, from 302.08 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 242.12 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, a decrease of 60 lakh tonnes.
Potato Production: Estimated to be 567.62 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, a drop of 34 lakh tonnes, mainly due to reduced output in Bihar and West Bengal.
Tomato Production: Tomato production, however, is expected to grow by 3.98%, reaching 212.38 lakh tonnes compared to 204.25 lakh tonnes last year.
Other Horticultural Crops: Flowers, Plantation, Spices
In addition to fruits and vegetables, there has been a noticeable increase in the production of flowers, plantation crops, spices, aromatic, and medicinal plants in 2023-24. These crops play a vital role in boosting the overall horticulture production.
- Honey, Spices, and Medicinal Plants: These categories have recorded steady growth, further enhancing the agricultural landscape of India.
Conclusion
While India's horticulture production for 2023-24 shows an overall decrease in comparison to the previous year, there are clear positives in certain areas like fruit production, tomato yield, and the growth of medicinal plants. The decline in key vegetables like onion and potato poses challenges, but the increase in other vegetables may help balance the overall production levels.
For the official press release, visit the Press Information Bureau website.
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