The Agriculture Ministry of India has revised its estimates for the production of key vegetables including onions and potatoes for the fiscal year 2023-24. The revised figures indicate a decrease in production volumes, with onions expected to see a reduction of 6 million tons, bringing the anticipated production to 24.2 million tons. This adjustment is attributed to lower production forecasts in states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, potato production is projected to decline by 3.4 million tons to 56.8 million tons, primarily due to decreased outputs in Bihar and West Bengal.
Conversely, the production of tomatoes is forecasted to increase by 3.98%, reaching 21.2 million tons. The ministry's Second Advance Estimates also suggest an overall increase in the production of vegetables like bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, tapioca, carrot, and tomato, estimating the total vegetable production at around 205 million tons.
In addition to vegetables, the production of fruits, honey, flowers, plantation crops, spices, and aromatics is expected to see a rise in the 2023-24 period. Fruit production alone is anticipated to reach 112.63 million tons, driven by higher production of bananas, limes/lemons, mangoes, guavas, and grapes, despite a forecasted decrease in apple and pomegranate production.
Overall, the total horticulture production in India for 2023-24 is estimated at approximately 352.23 million tons, marking a decrease of 3.3 million tons from the final estimates of the previous fiscal year.
Source: cnbctv18.com