India: Harnessing the export potential of horticultural sector

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO; 2021), India leads in the production of certain vegetables (ginger and okra) and fruits (banana, mangoes, and papaya). However, 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 one percent. Total horticultural produce in India touched 341.6 million tonnes, surpassing that of foodgrains (314.5 million tonnes) during FY22. Though the production and productivity of fruits and vegetables quadrupled during the last three decades, the same has not been translated into comparable increases in the incomes of cultivators. Therefore, the following policy options may be considered: Investment in agri-infrastructure: The Government launched the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund in 2020 to create community farming ...