India's horticulture production to record 295m tonnes

A kilo of Simla apples may cost Rs 125 a kilo, but India is likely to have the highest ever production of horticulture crops, including fruit and vegetables in the 2016-17 crop year, ending June. This, of course, may not guarantee a lowering of prices, but is good news for exporters and farmers.

The total production is estimated at 295 million tonnes, 3.2 per cent higher than in 2015-16.The figures show 2016-17 will be the fifth year when India's horticulture production is ahead of food grains. The food grain production for 2016-17 is estimated at 273.38 million tonnes.

Early this week the agriculture ministry released the projected figures for horticulture production. The statistics showed there has been an increase in the area of horticulture crops. It had moved up from 245 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 249 lakh hectares in 2016-17.

This is the second estimate released by the ministry. The earlier estimate had recorded a production of 287 million tonnes. The higher production this year is attributed to a good monsoon in 2016.

The estimate is based on information provided by the states and the Union territories. Specifically, fruit production for 2016-17 is pitched at 93 million tonnes, 2.9 per cent higher than the previous year, and vegetable produces at 175 million tonnes, 3.5 per cent higher than the 2015-16 production.

Most vegetables, including onions, potatoes, and tomatoes- the three ingredients most Indians can't do away with in the kitchen - will record increased production this year.

Production of onions- a vegetable strong enough in the past to have brought whole governments down- is estimated at 21.6 million tonnes, an increase of 3% over the yield for 2015-16. Similarly, potato production will increase from 43.4 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 46.5 million tonnes - a rise of 7.2%.

"During the current year, tomato production is estimated to be around 19.7 million tonnes, which is 5.1% higher than the previous year," a ministry official almost gloated.

More flowers are blooming, too. This is largely an export material. Production of flowers are estimated to be around 2.2 million tonnes, which is 2.9% higher than the previous year.

But despite the growing demand in the market for herbal and health related products aromatic and medicinal plants registered just 0.8% than the previous year at 1.03 million tonnes. It's possible Baba Ramdev and his Patanjali products may change the scene for the better next year.

Source: Khaleej Times