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K.L.CHADHA
ICAR National Professor (Hort.)&
Former Deputy Director Generalrt.)&
Former Deputy Director General (Hort.)
Indian council of Agricultural Research
New Delhi - India
India has a wide variety of climate and soil on which a large
range of horticultural crops such as, fruits; vegetables, potato
and other tropical tuber crops; ornamental, medicinal and aromatic
plants; plantation crops ; spices, cashew and cocoa are grown.
After attaining independence in 1947, major emphasis was laid
on achieving self sufficiency in food production. Development
of high yielding wheat varieties and high production technologies
and their adoption in areas of assured irrigation paved the way
towards food security ushering in green revolution in the sixties
.It , however, gradually became clear that horticultural crops
for which the Indian topography and agro climates are well suited
is an ideal method of achieving sustainability of small holdings,
increasing employment, improving environment, providing an enormous
export potential and above all achieving nutritional security.
As a result, due emphasis on diversification to horticultural
crops was given only during the last one decade.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the premier agency
which pioneered systematic research on agricultural crops in the
country. Horticulture research in India received very little attention
till the 3Rd fiva received very little attention
till the 3Rd five year plan. The establishment of the
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research at Bangalore and starting
of eight All India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects to cover
different horticultural crops was a landmark in the history of
horticulture in 4TH five year Plan (1969-74). Rapid
expansion of infrastructure took place in 7Th and 8Th
Plans. To-day, the horticultural research in the country is being
carried out at eight ICAR institutes (with 26 regional stations),10
National Research centres (on major crops) and a Project Directorate
on Vegetable crops . Area specific, multi-disciplinary research
is also being conducted under 14 -All India Co-ordinated Research
Projects each on Tropical, Sub-Tropical Arid Fruits; Vegetables,
Potato, Tuber Crops, Mushrooms; Ornamental Crops, Medicinal and
Aromatic crops; Palms, Cashew, Spices and Betel vine; and Post
Harvest Technology at 215 centres located at various research
Institutes, and State Agricultural Universities. In addition,
four net work projects each on 'Hybrid research in vegetable crops',
'Drip irrigation in perennial horticultural crops', 'protected
cultivation of ornamental crops' and 'Phytophthora disease of
horticulture crops' are now in operation. Research on horticulture
is also being undertaken at several multi-crop, multi-disciplinary
Institutes. Departments of Horticulture in 24 Agricultural Universof Horticulture in 24 Agricultural Universities,
one deemed to be University and one full fledged University of
Horticulture and Forestry are also engaged in horticultural research.
Besides 280 adhoc schemes supported from Agriculture Produce Cess
Fund and a number of foreign-aided projects have also been in
operation on specific problems of different horticulture crops.
As a result, the country now has a sound research infrastructure
in horticulture to meet the growing needs and expectations of
the fast developing horticulture industry.
The investment in horticulture research by the ICAR in the Central
sector has increased significantly in the last two plans. The
Plan allocation for horticultural crops started in 4TH
Plan (1969-74) with a modest allocation of Rs. 34.78 million and
was enhanced to Rs. 319.56 million in the 7th Plan
(1985-90) and to Rs.1047 millions in the 8Th Plan (1992-97).
Non-Plan expenditure also increased from Rs. 73.55 million in
the 5TH Plan to Rs. 768 million in 8Th Plan.
Overall increase in Plan investment in 25 years has been of the
order of 2775.21 per cent. The per cent budget allocation for
horticulture research out of the total budget for agriculture
research rose from 6.1 in 5Th to 6.5, 6.67and 7.7 in
6Th , 7Th and 8Th five year plans
respectivelySUP> and 8Th five year plans
respectively. Similarly, expenditure for Central Sector Schemes
of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation for horticulture
crop development also rose tremendously from Rs. 20.5 million
(4Th Plan) to Rs. 76.18 million (5TH Plan),
Rs. 146.37 million (6Th Plan), Rs. 250 million (7Th
Plan ) and Rs 10,000 million (8Th Five Years Plan).
Nearly one sixth of the total strength of 5906 scientists working
in ICAR in different disciplines is allocated for horticulture
research in ICAR Institutes. Besides , 560 scientists are working
in State Agricultural Universities in ICAR funded All India Coordinated
Projects. In addition, a large number of scientists are working
in horticultural crops in State Agricultural Universities.
Several new crops have been introduced for commercial cultivation, eg. :
Area under fruits increased from 1.22 million hectares
to 3.35 million hectares in 1995-96.India wit 1.22 million hectares
to 3.35 million hectares in 1995-96.India with a production of
41.50 million tonnes (1996-97) is the second largest fruit producer
(next to China 45.46 million tonnes) with a share of 8% in world
fruit production. India produces 65% of world's mango, 11% of
world's banana, ranking first in the production of both the crops.
It has the highest productivity of grapes in the world. Significant
expansion has taken up in aonla, ber, pomegranate
and sapota cultivation.
India ranks second in the world vegetable production (71.59 million
tonnes) after China. Vegetable production has increased three
times during the last 50 years. A large area is now covered with
F1 hybrids in vegetable crops resulting in increased yield and
better socio-economic status of farmers. Vegetables like tomato,
cabbage , cauliflower, radish and onion are now produced almost
round the year and India has attained self sufficiency in seed
production of temperate vegetables .Mushroom production has increased
from 100 tonnes in 1970 to 30,000 tonnes in 1996-97. The productivity
has increased from 10-12 Kg/m2 in 1985 to 18-22 Kg/m2
in 1995. Mushroom cultivation has spread to almost all parts of
the country.
In potato, area , production and productivity has increased
from 0.234 million hectares, 154 million tonnes and 6.59 t/ha
in 1949-5million hectares, 154 million tonnes and 6.59 t/ha
in 1949-50 to 1.14 million hectares, 1924 million tonnes and 16.9
t/ha respectively. This increase is 12,4.9 and 2.6 times respectively.
The annual compound growth rate for potato during this period
was 6.07 compared to 5.6% for wheat, 2.7% for rice and 2.74 for
total food grains. India is the only country in south east Asia
having a national disease free seed production programme producing
2600 tonnes of breeder's seed annually.
In cassava, productivity increased from 7t/ha in 1960-61 to 22t/ha
during 1992 which is more than double the world average (9.81t/ha).
Sago and starch industry based on cassava developed.
Protected cultivation of cut flowers started a decade back and
India has already entered the world cut flower market. Micro propagated
ornamental foliage plants are being exported in millions internationally.
Export of dried flowers from India is increasing.
In coconut, area has increased from 1 million hectares in 1980
to 1.793 million hectares in 1996-97. India has become one of
the largest coconut producing country of the world. Production
of coconut has gone up from 5677 million nuts to 13968 million
nuts. The productivity in coconut has increased from 5249 nuts/ha
to 7808 nuts/ha. Coconut contributes 700 billion rupees to the
GDP of the country. The contributes 700 billion rupees to the
GDP of the country. The contribution of the crop to the total
edible oil pool in India is around 6 per cent . India also exports
coir and coir products derived from coconut husk to the tune of
2260 million Rupees.
India continues to dominate the world in area, production and
productivity of arecanut and has achieved self sufficiency in
arecanut production (0.27 million tonnes). Most of the production
is domestically consumed.
Area in oil palm has gone up from 200 ha in 1965 to 40,700 ha
in 1996-97. Average productivity in oil palm plantations is now
from 4-5 tonnes/ha which compares favourably with other countries.
India is the largest producer (2.48 million tonnes), exporter
(0.20 million tonnes) and consumer of spices. Indian spices flavour
foods in over 134 countries. Spice exports touched Rs. 11800 million
during the last year.
In cashewnut, area has increased from 0.176 million hectares in
1961 to 0.659 million hectares in 1996-97. The production in cashew
has gone up from 0.079 million tonnes to 0.430 million tonnes
in 1996-97. India exported cashew kernels worth Rs.13000 moillion
(362 million $U.S during 1996-97).Export of cashew rising @ 27%
per annum. These export earnings are exceeded only by coffee and
rice among agri - exports.
rnings are exceeded only by coffee and
rice among agri - exports.
In spite of significant achievements in horticulture R&D, a number of challenges still need to be met. These are:
As a result, the productivity per unit area is low resulting in
high cost of production. Further, the quality of produce in many
cases is far from satisfactory. The post harvest losses continue
to be high. Full advantage has yet to be taken of several frontier
areas eg., biotechnology, protected cultivation , computer aided
management of inputs, integrated nutrient management, leaf nutrient
standards, biofertilizers, integrated pest management and mycorrhiza.
There is also need for change both in the content and approach
of research which can be taken up in partnership with private
sector on aspects like production of hybrids, green house production
of flowers, biotechnology, value addition and export. The future
growth of horticulture industry will largely depend on new and
globally competitive technologies. As such ambitious research
programme is called for in horticultural crop in the following
thrust areas.
Intensify interdisciplinary research to find solution to nationally
important problems eg., malformation and irregular bearing in
mango, wilt in guava, die back in citrus and root wilt in coconut.
India has a good natural resource base an adequate R&D infrastructure
and excellence in several areas. As a result , the horticultural
scenario of the country has been changing fast. Both production
and productivity of several crops has increased manifold and India
can boast itself as a leading horticultural country of the world
. Many new crops have been introduced aral country of the world
. Many new crops have been introduced and many others have adapted
to non conventional areas. Some other crops are under adaptive
trials. A number of turn key projects in mushroom and flower production
have been established .Near self sufficiency has been achieved
in many crops. Export of fresh as well as processed fruits has
been increasing. The demand of horticulture produce is on the
rise due to increasing population, changing food habits, realisation
of high nutritional value of horticultural crops and greater emphasis
on value addition and export. However, several challenges are
yet to be met. These are, fast eroding gene pool, fast population
build up , shrinking land and other natural resources , serious
production constraints, biotic and abiotic constraints and huge
post harvest losses. Further, in the era of globalisation ,our
produce has to be of international quality and globally competitive.
Our future expansion of horticulture has also to be in arid and
semi arid areas and on under utilized horticultural crops.
While the impact of green revolution in India was felt mainly
in assured irrigation areas, horticultural crop production has
brought prosperity even in arid and semi arid areas. Horticulture
is no longer a leisurely avocation and is fast assuming position
of a vibrant commercial venture. Nature has placed India in a
state of advantage and it is now on us horticulturists to work
towards ushering in a
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