India: Fruit production rises in world's second largest grower

There has been a significant increase in the production of horticultural crops in recent years in India. Crops, covering fruit, vegetables and spices occupy an area of 17.7 million hectares, producing 218.7 million tonnes of horticultural produce.

Fruits and vegetables are responsible for 92.3 per cent of total horticultural production. The area under fruit cultivation is 6.6 million hectares with a total production of 75.8 million tonnes.

India is the second largest producer of fruits in the world, falling behind China. It is, however, the largest producer of mango, banana, papaya, sapota, pomegranate and Aonla. About 40 per cent of the world’s mangoes and 30 per cent of the world’s bananas and papayas are produced in India. In terms of productivity of grapes, India ranks first in the world.

It is also the largest producer of peas and okra and is amongst leading producers of cabbage, cauliflower, onion and tomato. Vegetables crops are an important part of the horticultural industry in India and occupy an area of 8.2 million hectares with a total production of 137.7 million tonnes.

Source: pib.nic.in