Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 292 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
India is the leading producers in several Horticulture commodities like ginger, cucumber, etc. And a rising emphasis is being placed on this sector.
Body · points and prose
Reasons for Exuberant Approach
(1) Potential For Food Processing: 1a) → currently less than 2% is processed 1b) → India has diverse agro-climatic zones
(2) Farm diversification 2a) Reduces pressure of wheat-Rice whammy. 2b) more production of High value crops
(3) Reduce Import Dependence on several items like cooking oil; flowers, etc.
(4) Better returns to farmers and suitable cultivation as per climatic zones.
In keeping this, Govt. has led to taking a pro-active approach towards the sector:
(1) Cold-storage chain development Ex: Policies like KISAN Sampada
- mission Organic value chain for N-E Region (MOVCNER)
(2) Warehouses for storing immediately post production; Reducing Distress Sales and better shelf-life along with reduced wastage. currently, India wastes > 90,000 cr. post harvest.
(3) Kisan-Rail; Krishi-Udan → For non-stop market integration and better value realization.
(4) Mega-Food Parks
- To process the Horticulture items and add value; which further brings more returns. Expected value of Food processing to the tune of $0.5 trn. by 2025-26.
(5) Operation Greens; Operation TOPS
(6) PM-ASHA To try to extend MSP benefits to Horticulture sector.
(7) Fasal-Bima Yojana → To encourage farmers to undertake more rewarding practices.
What Issues remain
(1) Capacity development of APMCs | Poor Drying, packaging; | Gradation | corruption by Arhatiyas.
(2) Balanced Interventions → Regions like Bihar, Odisha often get neglected.
(3) Centre-state Cooperation Ex: States pulling out of Fasal Bima
(4) Extension services by allowing
Close · a way forward
↓ Regulated contract farming Ex: success story of Pepsico in W.Bengal.
Thus, Horticulture is the new Poster-boy for India's improved Agricultural Production and needs to be further capitalized by more suitable interventions.