Dr. Manoj Nazir
India is at present witnessing a satisfying trend in horticulture growth in terms of technological adoptions, production availibity and export. The expansion of horticulture in non traditional areas resulted in area under fruits from3.8 million ha. In 1999 to 5.81 million ha in 2008 with an increased portion of about 20 million tonnes. The area under vegetable cultivation also showed a similar increase of 1.85 million ha from 1999-2008 with an increased production of about 34.67 million tonnes. India has emerged as the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and ranks first in the production of several horticulture crops. Jammu division of Jand K can play a vital role in this direction provided more cultivable land is brought under Hort. Crops.
India is largest producer of Banana, mango, sapota, acid lime, papaya, amala and pomegranate. Area under fruits is 5.81 million ha and production is 62.86 tonnes. From vegetables point of view India is the largest producer of cauliflower and cucurbits with 7.73 million ha area under its cultivation and production of 122.26 million tonnes and productivity of 15.82 tonnes\ ha
Horticulture crops are highly remunerative with more income per unit area and so useful for poverty alleviation in rain-fed, dry land, hilly, arid and coastal agro ecosystems. Horticulture provides higher employment opportunity. One hectare of fruit production generates 860 man days per annum as against 143 men days in cereal crops.
Horticulture provides more food production per unit area. India is the largest producer of banana in the world with a total production of 15.07 million tonnes from an area of just0.49 million ha. Potato is another important crop producing more food per unit area and time, compared to cereals. Similarly cassava and sweet potato play a vital role in lessening the hunger of masses. Fruits and vegetables improve the quality of our diet and provide essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Various vitamin deficiencies – that of vitamin and C- are common in our population leading to poor vision and anemia. Several fruits and vegetables contain carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the human body e.g. Mango, Papaya, pumpkin, leafy vegetables. Dry fruits such as almond, cashew nut and apricot are very rich in protein and fats. Avocado is a fresh fruit with a fat content as high as22.8%. Banana is a good source of calcium, while apple is a good source of potassium; Amala and guava are rich source of pectin.
Perennial horticulture crops and agro forestry can improve the environment by providing vegetative cover on soil thus preventing soil loss due to wind and water. Trees like Tectonia: Polyaltheia: Thespesia populnea and Nerium indicum are efficient dust collectors. Solanum melongena and cyamopsis tetragonaloba effectively remove sulphur dioxide. Shrubs and Herbs check noise pollution.
Horticulture crops are mostly used in fresh form and not in dried state as cereals. They are therefore highly perishable. About 20-40 percent of total fruit and vegetable production costing Rs. 5,000- 6,000 crores goes waste every year. The losses of perishables occur in the post harvest chain- harvesting, grading, packing, transporation, storage and marketing. However the cost of conservation is always much less than the cost of production. Presently less than 2% of fruits and vegetables are processed in our country. Hence it is high time to give more attention towards post harvest management of highly perishable fruits and vegetables. The demand for some of the processed fruits and vegetables has grown enormously in the country. Value addition through dehydration of fruits and vegetables, fermented products, new products like fruit punches, banana chips and fingers, mango nectar, essential oils from citrus, fruit wines, value added coconut products, improved blending, packaging of tea and coffee are all new possibilities. Horticulture has accelerated the growth of economy, contributing upto24.5% to the GDP from a mere 8% cropped area. India is the leader in the production, consumption and export of spices in the world.
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