2. Agroforestry is A Sunrise industry

 

By Malini Shankar

Digital Discourse Foundation

The agriculture sector is the largest source of livelihood in India. The country is one of the largest producers of agriculture and food products in the world. In 2022-23, India’s agriculture sector growth rate was estimated to be at 3.5% of India’s GDP. Horticultural produce quantifies to 33% of gross value added Agriculture. In 2023-24, horticulture production was estimated at 355 million tonnes, surpassing food grain production.


India is one of the largest agricultural product exporters in the world. In April-July 2024, the overall value of export of agricultural products stood at US$ 15.76 billion. In 2023-24 the agricultural exports from India stood at US$ 48.15 billion. In 2022-23, the agricultural exports from India stood at US$ 52.50 billion. During 2021-22, the country recorded US$ 50.2 billion in total agriculture exports with a 20% increase from US$ 41.3 billion in 2020-21. India’s agriculture sector primarily exports Agri & allied products, marine products, plantation, and textile & allied products. Agri & allied products exports were valued at US$ 37.3 billion, recording a growth of 17% over 2020-21.


To view my photo blog on Farm Produce / Farm Laws Picturised click here

Horticultural production includes cultivation of flowers, vegetables, fruits ornamental plants, spices, herbs, medicinal plants and green leafy vegetables. To view another photo blog “Understanding Biodiversity click here

Horticultural produce is considered a sunrise industry in India as its potential as an agro meteorological insurance, or as a source of livelihood security for “sons of the Soil” also guarantees sustainable development.

The varied climes, soil patterns, rainfall patterns, and seasons in this vast Sub-Continent supports an unparalleled horticultural diversity:


While it is the Sub-Continent’s Biodiversity that is the germ plasm of agriculture, India’s vast soil diversity and favorable agro meteorological conditions (primarily because of tropical weather and seasonal monsoons) India produces enough of the following produce to export them:

1.       Cereals,

2.       Vegetables and melons

3.       Roots and tubers

4.       Milk

5.       Fruit

6.       Meat

7.       Oil seeds,

8.       Fish

9.       Fibres,

10.   Pulses,

11.   Eggs,

12.   Sugar cane

13.   Maize

14.   Wheat

15.   Rice

16.   Potatoes,

17.   Soybean,

18.   Beat sugar,

19.   Oil palm fruit,

20.   Barley

21.   Tomatoes,

22.   Spinach varieties,

23.   Yams 


                                     

India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, after China. Indian horticultural produce contributed 33% gross added value to Agriculture in 2023-24. Horticulture production was estimated at 355 million tonnes, surpassing food grain production. Horticulture sector growth rate: Around 4-5% annually, higher than cereals. India is ranked 14th in export of vegetables and 23rd in fruits.


                                 


Post-harvest losses: About 8.1% for fruits and 7.3% for vegetables, accounting for 37% of the total post-harvest losses, valued at Rs. 1.53 trillion annually (NABCONS, 2022). There are many challenges but as part of implementation of the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity many of the following issues can be streamlined and addressed.


 

Farmers' income: Farmers typically receive only 30% of the final consumer price due to unorganised value chains.

·         Significance of Horticulture Sector for India

·         Sunrise sector: Horticulture has the potential to:

·         Double farmers income

·         Generate employment

·         Enhance foreign currency earnings

·         Enable rural development

·         Food & Nutritional security:

·         Fruits & vegetables form major sources of vitamins/minerals in Indian diet

·         Potential in India:

·         Favourable agro-climatic conditions

·         Abundant labour force

·         Relatively low production costs

·         High productivity, compared to cereals 

 




India is nevertheless in dire need of a land use policy if only to survive the onslaught of unsustainable urbanisation.












 

Picture Credit:

Malini Shankar, Wikimedia Commons: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-CC-SA/3.0/

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