India today is the second-largest producer of horticulture with an estimated 329.86 million metric tonnes horticulture production in 2020-21, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar said during the celebration of “International Year of Fruits and Vegetables” on Friday.
“India is the second-largest producer of horticulture, producing about 12 per cent of the global fruit and vegetable production. In the year 2019-20, the country recorded the highest ever production of 320.77 million metric tonnes in horticulture, while the horticulture production for 2020-21 is estimated to be 329.86 million metric tonnes,” Tomar said.
The Union minister was addressing a National Conference organised by the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Ministry in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The conference was organized as part of the celebration of the “International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 2021” declared by United Nations Organization.
The theme for this year is “Awareness about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables for balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle.”
Tomar said in a release issued by the ministry that the conference is a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the important role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, health, food security and also in achieving Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The release stated that the ministry has identified 10 globally popular exotic fruit crops of commercial importance and 10 important indigenous fruit crops with high nutritional and nutraceutical properties, he said.
The State Horticulture Departments have also been given targets for the year 2021-22 regarding area expansion for these crops. During the current year, 8951 hectares area for exotic fruits and 7154 hectares area for indigenous fruits will be brought under cultivation, he added.
The minister further said: "PM Shri Narendra Modi has said that 21st century India needs post-harvest food processing revolution and value addition amid increased agricultural production. Farmers should get modern storage facilities near their village".
Prime Minister has advocated for increased private sector participation along with research and development in the agriculture sector, he added.
On the occasion, the minister also released operational guidelines for the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme and QR code of the guidelines.
The minister expressed hope that India can achieve the goal of bringing fruits and vegetables to the plate of the poorest of the poor, not as a special food but as a daily necessity.
Sanjay Agarwal, secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India said that horticulture has become the growth engine of Indian Agriculture. He also said that no one should be deprived of nutritional fulfilment.
Tomio Shichiri, FAO Representative in India, said the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP) and the Alliance of Biodiversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have also organised a webinar with the theme of “Mainstreaming Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables for a Food and Nutrition Secure Future” for celebrating the Year of Fruits and Vegetables.
Garth Atkinson, International Expert made a presentation on “Global shift in Horticulture Supply Chain”, while Rajbir Singh, Joint Secretary (MIDH), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, presented an overview of the event on International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and Dr SK Malhotra, Horticulture Commissioner, gave a theme presentation during the seminar.
The Conference was also attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, senior officers of Embassy of Israel, Embassy of the Netherlands, Green Innovation Centre, GIZ, officers from National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board, ICAR Institutes and all State Horticulture Missions along with leading growers /processors/farmers across the country.
