The estimate shows that 2016-17 will be the fifth straight year when India’s horticulture production will outs... Read More

NEW DELHI: India is likely to have the highest ever production of horticulture crops , including fruit and vegetables , in the 2016-17 crop year, ending June. The total production is estimated at 295 million tonnes, 3.2% higher than in 2015-16.

The estimate shows that 2016-17 will be the fifth straight year when India’s horticulture production will outstrip that of foodgrains. The foodgrain production for 2016-17 is estimated at 273.38 million tonnes.

The agriculture ministry released on Tuesday the second advance estimate for horticulture production, noting that even the area under horticulture crops had recorded an increase — from 245 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 249 lakh hectares in 2016-17. The second advance estimate has, in fact, revised the production figure upward from the first, which had put the figure at 287 million tonnes in February. The higher production this year is attributed to a good monsoon in 2016.

According to the ministry’s estimate, based on information provided by states and Union territories, fruit production for 2016-17 is estimated at 93 million tonnes, 2.9% higher than the previous year, and vegetable yield at 175 million tonnes, 3.5% higher than the 2015-16 production.

Most vegetables, including onions, potatoes and tomatoes, will record an increased production this year. Production of onions is estimated at 21.6 million tonnes, an increase of 3% over the yield for 2015-16. Similarly, potato production will increase from 43.4 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 46.5 milion tonnes — a rise of 7.2%.

“During the current year, tomato production is estimated to be around 19.7 million tonnes, which is 5.1% higher than the previous year,” said the ministry.

The second estimate shows that the production of flowers is estimated to be around 2.2 million tonnes, which is 2.9% higher than the previous year, while the production of aromatics & medicinal plants is estimated at around 1.03 million tonnes, marginally higher (0.8%) than the previous year. The production of spices is also likely to report an increase, estimated to be around 7.1 million tonnes, 1.3% higher than in 2015-16.

