Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has released the Final Estimates of 2019-20 and First Advance Estimates of 2020-21 of Area and Production of various Horticultural Crops. These are based on the information received from States and other source agencies.

Highlights of 2019-20 (Final Estimates)

    • Total Horticulture production in 2019-20 is estimated to be 3.12% higher than 2018-19.

    • Increase in production of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Spices is seen whereas decrease in Plantation Crops and Aromatics & Medicinal Plants is registered over 2018-19.

    • The Fruits production is estimated to be 102.03 Million Tonne compared to 97.97 Million Tonne in 2018-19.

    • The production of Vegetables is estimated to be 188.91 Million Tonne, against 183.17 Million Tonne in 2018-19.

    • Onion production is estimated to be 26.09 Million Tonne, against 22.82 Million Tonne reported in 2018-19.

    • Potato production is estimated to be 48.56 Million Tonne, compared to 501.90 Million Tonne in 2018-19.

Highlights of 2020-21 (First Advance Estimates)

    • Total Horticulture production in 2020-21 is estimated to be 326.58 Million Tonne, an increase of about 5.81 Million Tonne (increase of 1.81%) over 2019-20.

    • Increase in production of Fruits, Vegetables, Aromatics & Medicinal Plants and Plantation Crops, while decrease in Spices and Flowers over previous year, is envisaged.

    • The Fruits production is estimated to be 103.23 Million Tonne compared to 102.03 Million Tonne in 2019-20.

    • The production of Vegetables is estimated to be 193.61 Million Tonne, compared to 188.91 Million Tonne in 2019-20. 

    • Onion production is estimated to be 26.29 Million Tonne, compared to 26.09 Million Tonne in 2019-20.

    • Potato production is estimated to be 53.11 Million Tonne, against production of 48.56 Million Tonne in 2019-20.

About Horticulture

Horticulture is the science and art of the production, marketing, and the use of high-value, intensively cultivated plants. Horticultural crops are diverse; they consist of annual and perennial species, edible and ornamental plants.

It includes a wide range of crops namely, fruits, vegetables, tuber crops, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom, plantation crops and spices etc. These crops are grown in varied agro-climatic conditions of temperate, subtropical and arid zones.

Horticultural farming in India promotes the development of natural resources, yields higher returns from land, enhances the land values, creates a better purchasing power among the people and as a consequence adds to the general prosperity.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)