Lok Sabha Question No. 129 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Improving the Productivity in Horticulture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.129

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025

## IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY IN HORTICULTURE SECTOR

- *129.  DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is taking any steps to increase productivity in the horticulture sector in order to meet the estimated demand of fruits and vegetables by the year 2033; (b) if so, whether any special scheme is being implemented by the Government to take advantage of geographical features and to promote market-based development; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether horticulture-agriculture sector (fruits and vegetables) has benefitted from the Kisan Rail and Krishi Udan Yojana Schemes; and (e) if so, the details of the benefits accrued from the said schemes, district-wise including

- Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency in Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) of LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 129 DUE FOR REPLY ON 29 TH  JULY, 2025.

(a) to (c): The  horticulture  sector  has  shown  a  remarkable  growth  in  the  last decade wherein fruit production has increased to 1129.7 lakh metric tonnes (202324) from 866 lakh metric tonnes (2014-15) with 30 percent increase. During the same period, vegetable  production has increased to  2072 lakh  metric  tonnes (2023-24) from 1694.7 lakh metric tonnes (2014-15) with 22 percent increase. The productivity of fruits has also increased from 14.17 to 15.80 metric tonnes per hectare, whereas the productivity of vegetables has increased from 17.76 to 18.40 metric tonnes per hectare during the same period. This growth indicates that the increase in production and productivity of fruits and vegetables is on track to meet predicted future demand.

Government of India is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture  (MIDH)  in  the  country  including  Baghpat  district  of  Uttar  Pradesh  for holistic development of horticulture which includes increasing productivity using elite high yielding planting material, high density plantation, rejuvenation of old orchards, fertigation, protected cultivation and reduction of post harvest losses etc. to meet the estimated demand of fruits and vegetables.

The  Government  has  introduced  new  initiatives  under  MIDH  to  leverage geographical advantage and promote market driven horticulture through setting up of 58 Centre of Excellence (CoEs), identified 55 clusters under Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP), 9 centres for Clean Plant Programme (CPP) and setting up of 4 Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facilities.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its crop specific institutes have  enhanced  horticulture  crop  production  and  productivity  through  research  on high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, modern cultivation practices and climateresilient technologies. It also supports farmers via training, quality planting materials, and efficient pest management.

(d) & (e): The Kisan Rail was launched on August 7, 2020 to enable movement of perishables including fruits and vegetables from production of surplus region to consumption/deficient regions  in reasonable  time.  Since,  its inception Indian Railways operated 2364 Kisan Rail Services transporting 7.9 lakh MT of perishables, across  the  states  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Assam,  Bihar,  Delhi,  Gujarat,  Jammu  & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in 167 routes.

The Krishi Udan Scheme aims to ensure seamless, cost effective, time-bound air transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce originating especially from Northeast, hilly and tribal regions of the country, so that it improves their value realization. It is a convergence scheme where eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying,  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of  Development  of  North-Eastern  Region  leverage  their  existing  schemes  to strengthen the logistics for transportation of Agri-produce. By enhancing logistics and supply chains, the scheme aims to strengthen Indian agriculture and boosts farmers

The Krishi Udan Scheme covers 58 airports in the country, primarily focusing on 25 airports in North Eastern. Hilly and Tribal region besides 33 airports in other regions/area. All perishable commodities are covered under Krishi Udan Scheme in the country which includes horticulture, fishery, livestock and processed products. For  facilitating  and  incentivising  movement  of  agri-produce  by  air  transportation, waiver of Landing charges, Parking charges are provided for Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of  Defence  at  their  selected  Krishi  Udan  airports.  In  addition,  Route  Navigation Facility  Charges  (RNFC) and Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) are

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income. waived off at the selected AAI airports.