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Tags : Horticulture

1730190171Screenshot 2024-10-29 131934.jpg

Topic: Agriculture

Why in the news?

  • Horticulture output is estimated to have fallen marginally by 0.65% to 353.19 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to the government’s third advance estimate released on Saturday. 
  • Fruit production is expected to have risen 2.29% to 112.73 million tonnes in 2023-24 (July-June), driven by higher output of mango, banana, lime/lemon, grapes, and custard apple. 
  • Vegetable output was put at 205.8 million tonnes, with increases in tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower offsetting declines in potatoes and onion, it said.

Source: The Hindu 

About Horticulture:

  • It is the branch of agriculture concerned with intensively cultured plants directly used by humans for food, medicinal purposes and aesthetic gratification.
  • It is the cultivation, production and sale of vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, ornamental or exotic plants.
  • The term Horticulture is derived from the Latin words hortus (garden) and cultūra (cultivation).
  • L.H. Bailey is considered the Father of American Horticulture and M.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.
  • Classification: 
    • Pomology: Planting, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing of fruit and nut crops.
    • Olericulture: Producing and marketing vegetables.
    • Arboriculture: Study, selection and care of individual trees, shrubs or other perennial woody plants.
    • Ornamental Horticulture: It has two subparts:
      • Floriculture: Production, use and marketing of floral crops.
      • Landscape Horticulture: Production and marketing of plants used to beautify the outdoor environment.
  • State of Horticulture Sector in India:
    • India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
    • The Indian horticulture sector contributes about 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA) making a very significant contribution to the Indian economy.
    • India is currently producing about 320.48 million tons of horticulture produce which has surpassed the food grain production, that too from much less area (25.66 million Ha. for horticulture against 127.6 M. ha. for food grains).
    • Productivity of horticulture crops is much higher compared to productivity of food grains.
    • According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), India leads in the production of certain vegetables (ginger and okra) and fruits (banana, mangoes and papaya).
    • In terms of export, India is ranked 14th in vegetables and 23rd in fruits, and its share in the global horticultural market is a mere 1%.
    • Around 15-20% of the fruits and vegetables in India are wasted along the supply chain or at consumer level, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

 

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