Lok Sabha Question No. 4323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Promotion of Horticulture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BHAGIRATH PRASAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4323

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  28 TH  MARCH, 2017

## PROMOTION OF HORTICULTURE

4323.  DR. BHAGIRATH PRASAD:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the status of imports of vegetables and fruits in the country during the last three years;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  a  large  quantum  of  vegetables  and  fruits  are  being imported every  year  despite  availability  of  huge  human  resource  and  vast  agriculture resources in the country;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government for the promotion of horticulture to enhance the growth of the production of fruits and vegetables in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE (  SHRI  S.S.

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè AHLUWALIA)

- (a): The details  of  import  of  vegetables  and  fruits  during  the  last  three  years  are enclosed at Annexure-I.
- (b) & (c): India  is  a  net  exporter  of  fresh  vegetables.  During  2015-16,  India's exports  of  Vegetables  were  Rs.  4762.62  crores  where  as  imports  were  Rs.  211.70 crores. However, in case of fruits, India is a net importer. India's imports of fresh fruits during 2015-16 were Rs. 11013.29 crores and exports were Rs. 3918.41 crores. The increase in imports of fruits is due to high value import of apples, figs, oranges, kiwi fruits and pears to meet the gap between demand and supply.
- (d): Government  has  been  implementing centrally sponsored scheme  called Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during 12 th Five Year Plan for holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables etc. The Mission envisages  production  and  productivity  improvement  of  horticulture  crops  including fruits through various interventions. Activities such as production of planting materials, vegetable seed production, coverage of area with improved cultivars, rejuvenation of senile orchards,  protected  cultivation, creation  of  water  resources,  adoption  of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), organic farming, including insitu generation of organic inputs are taken up for development of fruits and vegetables under this scheme. Capacity buildings of farmers and

technicians  are  also  provided  for  adopting  improved  technologies.  Scheme  also envisages  creation  of  infrastructure  for  Post  Harvest  Management  (PHM)  and marketing for better price realization of produce.

## Annexure-I

Details of import of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits during the last three years

(quantity in lakh tons and value in Rs. Crore)

|                  | 2013-14   | 2013-14   | 2014-15   | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2015-16   | 2016-17 (April- Jan)   | 2016-17 (April- Jan)   |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------|------------------------|
| Commodity        | Qty       | Value     | Qty       | Value     | Qty       | Value     | Qty                    | Value                  |
| FRESH FRUITS     | 7.69      | 7715.96   | 8.58      | 9543.86   | 8.36      | 11013.29  | 8.24                   | 9306.10                |
| FRESH VEGETABLES | 0.25      | 41.67     | 0.08      | 11.14     | 0.96      | 211.70    | 0.08                   | 10.18                  |

Source: DGCIS, Kolkata

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