Horticulture in India: Scope, Growth & Government Initiatives

Introduction

Horticulture is a key part of India’s agriculture, involving the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and other plants. Thanks to the country’s diverse climate and soil types, this sector has grown to become one of the most important and productive areas in Indian farming. It not only supports food security but also plays a big role in boosting rural incomes and the overall economy. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current status of horticulture in India—exploring the major crops, the regions where they thrive, and the government schemes and initiatives that are helping the sector grow stronger.

About Horticulture

• Horticulture is a specialized branch of agriculture that focuses on growing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Unlike traditional farming, it often requires more investment and a larger workforce, making it both capital- and labour-intensive.

• India, with its diverse agroclimatic zones, is naturally suited for cultivating a wide variety of horticultural crops. These include not just fruits and vegetables, but also spices, root and tuber crops, flowers, aromatic and medicinal plants, and plantation crops like coconut, areca nut, cashew, and cocoa.

• Currently, horticulture crops cover around 10% of India’s total cropped area and contributed about 330 million tonnes of produce in 2021. India holds the distinction of being the world’s second-largest producer of both fruits and vegetables.

• To give you an idea of the scale—fruit production stands at around 102 million tonnes, grown over 6.8 million hectares of land. Vegetables are grown on an even larger area of about 10.8 million hectares, yielding close to 196 million tonnes.

• Globally, Liberty Hyde Bailey is recognized as the “Father of Horticulture.” He was an American horticulturist and botanist, and one of the founders of the American Society for Horticultural Science. His pioneering work earned him the title of the “father of modern horticulture.”

• In India, that honour goes to Dr. M.H. Marigowda, who played a key role in transforming horticulture in the country, particularly in Karnataka. His visionary efforts laid the foundation for the sector’s growth and earned him deep respect across the nation.

Types of Horticulture

Fruits (Pomology)

India’s climate is incredibly diverse, which makes it perfect for growing a wide variety of fruits. In the tropical and subtropical regions, you’ll find fruits like mango, banana, citrus, pineapple, papaya, guava, sapota (cheekoo), jackfruit, litchi, and grapes growing in abundance. Meanwhile, in the cooler, temperate areas, fruits like apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond, and walnut thrive. Even the drier parts of the country support hardy fruits such as pomegranate, fig, and phalsa.

Vegetables (Olericulture)

When it comes to vegetables, India grows a rich mix of them throughout the year. Commonly grown crops include potato, tomato, onion, chillies, carrot, radish, turnip, beans, okra (lady finger), various gourds, lettuce, brinjal (eggplant), cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and peas.
Among all vegetables, potatoes top the list in terms of quantity, followed by tomatoes. On the global stage, India ranks second only to China in total vegetable production. Impressively, India is the world leader in cauliflower production, second in onions, and third in cabbage.

Flowers (Floriculture)

Thanks to our country’s wide range of climates, flowers can be grown somewhere in India throughout the year. Improved transport and cold chain systems now make fresh flowers available across the country. Among all states, Tamil Nadu leads in flower production.

Spices and Condiments

India is famous worldwide for its spices. The country grows a variety of spices like black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and cumin. These not only add flavor to food but also contribute significantly to India’s economy, especially through exports.

Plantation Crops

These are crops grown mainly for commercial purposes and include tea, coffee, coconut, areca nut, rubber, and cocoa. Plantation crops play a major role in export earnings and also provide jobs to many people, especially in the southern and northeastern parts of India.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

India also grows a variety of plants used in medicines and wellness products. Plants like neem, aloe vera, and ashwagandha are grown for their medicinal value, while lemongrass and sandalwood are grown for their aromatic oils. These crops are increasingly in demand in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and herbal wellness industries.

Horticulture in India

• Horticulture involves growing a wide range of plants, including garden plants, fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and even grass (turf).
• People who work in this field are called horticulturists. They handle many tasks like:
  • Growing and multiplying plants (plant propagation)
  • Producing crops
  • Developing new plant varieties through breeding and genetic techniques
  • Studying how plants grow and function (plant physiology and biochemistry)
  • Managing the storage, processing, and transport of harvested crops
• Modern horticulturists often use advanced nurseries to grow healthy seedlings and maintain mother plants (plants used to create new ones).
• They use various plant propagation methods to multiply plants, including:
  • Seeds – the most basic method
  • Inarching – joining a shoot from one plant to the rootstock of another
  • Budding – attaching a bud from one plant to another plant
  • Veneer grafting – slicing and attaching a scion (desired plant part) to a rootstock
  • Patch budding – replacing a patch of bark on one plant with a bud from another
  • Softwood grafting – using soft, young branches for grafting during certain seasons

These methods help ensure the quality and quantity of plants grown, making horticulture more efficient and productive.

State	Remarks
Tamil Nadu	Known for its rich biodiversity and favorable climate, Tamil Nadu supports the cultivation of a wide variety of horticultural crops such as tropical and temperate fruits, vegetables, spices, condiments, plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, and commercial flowers.
Jammu & Kashmir	Horticulture is the backbone of Kashmir’s rural economy, generating over ₹50 crore in revenue annually. Major fruits include apples, pears, cherries, walnuts, almonds, peaches, saffron, apricots, strawberries, and plums.
Odisha	Grows fruits like pineapple, mango, and cashew; vegetables like mushrooms, drumsticks, and onions; and spices such as ginger and turmeric. The state supports horticulture through subsidized planting material, training programs, field demonstrations, and promotion at lift irrigation points.
Punjab	Had around 82,600 hectares under horticulture by 2002, with continuous growth since then. Grows fruits like sweet orange, kinnow, guava, peach, litchi, and mango.
Maharashtra	A major horticulture state producing bananas, figs, grapes, custard apples, wood apples, jambul, pomegranate, mandarin orange, guava, and sweet orange. Also cultivates vegetables, medicinal plants, and spices.
Tripura	With its hilly terrain, warm and humid climate, and annual rainfall of 2500 mm, Tripura is ideal for rainfed horticulture. Major fruits include pineapple, jackfruit, orange, litchi, cashew nut, coconut, lime, and lemon.
Assam	Popular horticulture crops include carambola, wood apple, jackfruit, ginger, oranges, olives, figs, and bamboo shoots. Nearly 75% of the population depends on agriculture and horticulture for livelihood.
Andhra Pradesh	Due to its diverse climate, Andhra Pradesh excels in growing citrus, chillies, turmeric, oil palm, cocoa, cashew, guava, coriander, banana, ginger, and coconut.

National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was started by the Government of India in 2005–06 to boost the overall growth of the horticulture sector across the country.

The main goal of the mission is to increase the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and medicinal plants by:

• Helping farmers adopt modern technologies
• Improving infrastructure like cold storage and irrigation systems
• Promoting sustainable and eco-friendly farming methods

NHM also focuses on:

• Raising productivity of crops
• Making sure farmers have access to high-quality planting material
• Supporting post-harvest management like storage, grading, and packaging
• Improving market access so that farmers can get better prices for their produce

By encouraging farmers to grow a variety of horticulture crops, NHM plays a major role in:

• Diversifying agriculture beyond traditional crops
• Increasing farmers’ income
• Strengthening food and nutritional security for the country

Hence, NHM helps make horticulture more profitable, sustainable, and farmer-friendly.

National Horticulture Board (NHB)

• The National Horticulture Board (NHB) is an independent body set up in 1984 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Its main goal is to support the overall growth and development of the horticulture sector in India.
• NHB helps by providing:
  • Financial assistance to farmers, entrepreneurs, and businesses
  • Technical support to improve farming techniques and productivity
• It focuses on:
  • Boosting the production and quality of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other horticultural crops
  • Supporting post-harvest management, like proper handling, grading, and storage
  • Promoting the development of a cold chain to keep produce fresh and reduce waste
  • Building strong market infrastructure so that farmers can get better access to markets and fair prices.

Importance of Horticulture in India

• Horticulture is very important for India’s agriculture and food security. It plays a major role in improving the rural economy and overall well-being of the population.
• It includes a wide range of crops like fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and medicinal plants, all of which are essential for good nutrition and better health.
• Horticulture also creates a lot of job opportunities, especially in villages and rural areas, and provides a steady source of income to small and marginal farmers.
• India exports a variety of horticultural products like mangoes, bananas, and spices, which help in earning valuable foreign exchange.
• This sector promotes sustainable farming by:
  • Encouraging crop diversification (not just depending on wheat or rice)
  • Reducing pressure on traditional crops
  • Improving soil health through eco-friendly and organic farming methods

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a government scheme launched in 2014–15 to ensure the overall development of horticulture in India.
• It brings together and coordinates several earlier schemes under one umbrella, including:
  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
  • Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States
  • National Bamboo Mission
  • National Horticulture Board (NHB)
  • Coconut Development Board
  • Central Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland
• The goal of MIDH is to make horticulture more organized, efficient, and accessible by promoting modern techniques, better infrastructure, and support for farmers.

Objectives of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

• Promote overall growth of horticulture across the country, including crops like bamboo and coconut, by using region-specific strategies. These plans are based on the unique climate and strengths of each state and involve:
  • Research and development
  • Use of new technologies
  • Farmer training and guidance (extension)
  • Better post-harvest practices
  • Processing and marketing support
• Encourage farmers to work together by forming groups like:
  • FIGs (Farmer Interest Groups)
  • FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations)
  • FPCs (Farmer Producer Companies)
    These groups help farmers get better prices, reduce costs, and access markets more efficiently by working at a larger scale.
• Promote micro-irrigation systems, which help:
  • Increase crop production
  • Boost farmers’ income
  • Improve nutrition by growing more fruits and vegetables
  • Save water and improve productivity with better quality seeds and planting materials
• Create skill development and job opportunities, especially for rural youth, in areas like:
  • Horticulture farming
  • Post-harvest handling
  • Cold storage and supply chain management

It aims to make horticulture more productive, sustainable, and profitable—while also helping farmers earn more and creating new jobs in rural areas.

Strategy to achieve objectives

• Follow a complete “farm-to-market” approach –
  • The mission aims to support every stage of horticulture, starting from preparing the land and planting, all the way to harvesting, storing, processing, and finally marketing the produce. This ensures farmers get the best possible returns.
• Support innovation and research –
  • The mission promotes the development of new technologies and farming methods for better crop production, storage, and processing. Special focus is given to improving cold chain systems so that perishable produce lasts longer and reaches markets in good condition.
• Provide modern tools and techniques –
  • Farmers will be supported with high-tech horticulture solutions like:
    • Protected cultivation (e.g., greenhouses, shade nets)
    • Precision farming (using data and tech to improve yields and save resources)
• Improve post-harvest handling and value addition –
  • More focus will be given to developing systems for:
    • Better storage and transportation
    • Processing to turn raw produce into marketable goods
    • Creating strong marketing infrastructure to sell produce efficiently
• Encourage teamwork among institutions –
  • The mission promotes coordination between:
    • Research and development institutions
    • Food processing units
    • Marketing agencies
      This partnership will involve both government and private sector players working together at national, state, and local levels.
• Support farmer groups and connect them with markets and finance –
  • The mission aims to promote Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and help them build links with:
    • Market Aggregators (MAs) who buy and sell in bulk
    • Financial Institutions (FIs) to provide loans and financial support
      This will help ensure farmers get fair prices and better market access.

Conclusion

As India keeps tapping into the huge potential of its horticulture sector, it’s important to keep pushing for better ways to grow crops, reduce post-harvest losses, and support farmers in earning more. Government initiatives like the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and other related schemes are valuable tools to strengthen this sector even more. With the right support and improvements, horticulture can continue to grow steadily, boost productivity, and improve the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are horticulture crops?

Horticulture crops include fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, and ornamental plants.

2. Who is known as the Father of Horticulture?

• World: Liberty Hyde Bailey
• India: Dr. M.H. Marigowda

3. What is NHM?

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is a government initiative launched in 2005–06 to support the production and development of horticulture crops in India.

4. What is the difference between NHB and MIDH?

• NHB is a board that gives financial and technical support for horticulture projects.
• MIDH is a larger mission that brings together multiple schemes (including NHM and NHB) to promote overall horticulture growth.

5. Which states are leaders in horticulture?

States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, and Jammu & Kashmir are major horticulture hubs due to their climate and crop diversity.