India’s horticulture output is likely to drop marginally by 0.4 percent to 333,25 million tonnes (mt) during the current crop year (July 2021-June 22 ) compared with the previous year. The output of vegetables, spices, and plantation crops is set to decline. However, among the key essential items, production of onion is pegged higher.
According to the official data, the fall in horticulture output is despite a higher area under cultivation at 27,56 million hectares (mh) in 2021-22 against 27,48 mh last year.
While some experts have termed the fall to high base effect as in the last year horticulture production had grown by 4.4 percent to a record 334,60 mt, others said the gap is marginal this year and there could be an upward revision in production during subsequent estimates.
Onion production is estimated to be 31,1 mt this season up from 26,6 mt in 2020-21.
Spices are likely to drop by 2.7 percent to 10,82 mt from 11,12 mt and that of four plantation crops (arecanut, cashewnut, cocoa and coconut) by 4.7 percent to 15,85 mt from 16,63 mt. Among the spices – tamarind and garlic have registered higher growth from last year.
Source: Union Agriculture Ministry & the Hindu business
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