Horticulture involves in raising a wide range of crops, namely, fruits, vegetables, tuber crops, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushrooms, plantation crops, spices, etc., being grown in varied agro-climatic conditions. These are grown in tropical, subtropical, temperate and arid zones.

Horticulture development continues to make steady progress in the production and export of products. India has emerged as the second largest producer of fruits and second largest producer of vegetables after China. India ranks first in the production of mango, coconut, cashewnut, spices, etc.

India is the largest exporter of cashewnut and provides nearly 40 per cent of the world’s total production. India’s share in the world trade in spices is around 18 per cent. India is the largest producer of ginger, turmeric and accounts for 65 per cent and 76 per cent respectively of the total world’s production.

The area under coconut in 1998-99 was 19.08 lakh hectares. The production was 14,925 million nuts. With this, India has emerged as the largest producer of coconut in the world.

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The crop sustains nearly 10 million families, contributes 5-6 per cent of the total vegetable oil pool in the country and earns a foreign exchange of Rs. 200 crore annually through the exports of coir and coir products.

About 88 per cent of the coconut production is accounted for by the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Coconut cultivation is also catching up in the north-eastern States, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, etc.

The area under cashew cultivation was 73 lakh hectares and production was 4.6 lakh tonnes in 1998-99. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are the major cashewnut producing states. India is the world’s leading producer and exporter of cashew accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the world’s demand.

The role of horticulture has been fully recognized in the Indian economy. There are potentials for diversification of horticulture. Horticulture gives higher income per unit area to the farmers.

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Besides, it provides nutritional food to millions of people. For the year 1999-2000, an allocation of Rs. 260 crore has been provided for various Central sector/Centrally-sponsored horticulture development programmes. The major horticulture crops are:

(1) Cashewnuts.

Introduced in 16th & 17th century by the Portuguese.

Conditions for its cultivation are as under:

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(1) 16°C – 25°C temperature

(2) 50-350 cm rainfall

(3) Poor sandy soil and laterite soil

Eastern and Western India are the two major regions of cashewnut production. The states are Tamil Nadu, A.P and Kerala.

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In Maharashtra and Goa also cashewnuts are grown. India is the largest cashewnut exporter in the world. Nearly 50 countries import Indian produce. These are the U.K., the U.S.A., Japan, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canada etc. Area under this crop was 6-86 lakh hectares and production 5-2 lach tonnes in 1999-2000.

(2) Apples.

It is a crop of temperate lands. It requires 21°C to 4°C temperature during its growing period. 100-125 cm rainfall is sufficient for the plants. Hail storms, fog, frost, cloudy weather are harmful for the crops. 1500 – 2700 m slopes are ideal apple grounds. Loamy soil rich in organic matter and good drainage are suitable for apple cultivation.

It is mainly grown in hills of J & K, hills of Himachal Pradesh, hills of Uttaranchal. Apples have demand both in India and abroad. Apples from these states are marketed all through the country.

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(3) Oranges .

It is a citrus fruit. It is widely grown in India. Orchards are usually on 600-1500 m elevation.

Well drained sandy loams are ideal for orange cultivation. Though grown all over India, yet the major states producing oranges are Western U.E, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Nagpur is well known for the cultivation of oranges in India.

(4) Bananas.

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It is a Tropical and substropical plant. Average temperature requirement 20°-30°C. Rainfall over 150 cm. It needs well drained soils. India is the largest producer of bananas in the world. It is the crop of Peninsular India, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam.

(5) Mangoes.

It is native to monsoon lands. There are nearly 1000 varieties of mangoes grown in India. The annual output is 80 – 90 lakh tonnes. The main mango producing states are U.E, Bihar, A.E, West Bengal, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Most of the crop is consumed in the country. However, some high quality mangoes find market abroad, viz European countries, W Asian countries and Canada.

(6) Grapes.

U.E, H.E, Punjab, J&IC, Maharashtra, A.E, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.

(7) Strawberry.

Hilly areas of J 8c K, H.E, Nainital districts in Uttaranchal.

(8) Almond and Walnuts are grown in the Kashmir valley, the H.E and Kumoan hills of Uttaranchal. Peach, Pears, Apricots, Ber, Jamun etc. are other important fruits grown in India.