The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in its First Advance Estimates, anticipates a decline in onion and potato production for the 2023-24 period. Onion production is projected to decrease by approximately 15%, totaling around 25.47 million tons, a drop from the previous year's 30.21 million tons. This reduction is notable in key producing states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In contrast, potato production is expected to slightly decrease by 2%, with an estimate of 58.99 million tons, down from 60.14 million tons, with West Bengal experiencing a notable shortfall.
Overall, India's horticulture production for 2023-24 is estimated at 355.25 million tons across an expanded cultivation area of 0.33 million hectares. This represents a 1.15% increase in area compared to the 2022-23 Final Estimate. Fruit production is expected to rise to 112.08 million tons, driven by increased outputs of banana, orange, and mango. Vegetable production is also expected to increase, reaching approximately 209.39 million tons, with notable increases in cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, tapioca, and tomato. Tomato production alone is forecasted to reach 20.83 million tons, slightly up from the previous year's 20.43 million tons.
Comparatively, the 2022-23 Final Estimates showed a total horticulture production of 355.48 million tons, marking a 2.39% increase over the 2021-22 period. The area under horticulture cultivation had also increased by 1.41%, and fruit production was estimated at 110.21 million tons, with vegetables at 212.55 million tons. Onion production for 2022-23 was finalized at 30.21 million tons, and potato at 60.14 million tons, with tomato production at 20.425 million tons.
In response to potential market fluctuations, the federal government plans to procure 500,000 tons of onions for buffer stock, mirroring last year's strategy to mitigate price rises.
Source: downtoearth.org.in