Increasing Production of Fruits and Vegetables

Increasing Production of Fruits and Vegetables

            The production of fruits and vegetables has increased during the last three years. A statement showing the details of production of fruits and vegetables during last three years is given in the table below-

                                                                        (in 000` MT)

Year	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11*
Fruits	68465.5	71515.5	75825.6
Vegetables	129076.8	133737.6	137686.6
Total	197542.3	205253.1	213512.2

Source: National Horticulture Board

*2nd Advanced Estimate - Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

            The wholesale price index for fruits and vegetables has shown some increase during the last three years as under:

Year	2008	2009	2010
Fruits & Vegetables	131.93	143.61	163.02

            Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Prices of fruits and vegetables, which are mostly perishable commodities, by and large depend on market forces, prevailing weather conditions, cost of storage, transportation and rising demand due to increasing income and urbanization.

To enhance the production and productivity of horticultural crops including fruits and vegetables, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in remaining States and Union Territories.

Good post harvest management and market infrastructure is essential to stabilize prices of horticulture products, for which assistance is provided under these Missions for setting up of cold storages, terminal markets, wholesale markets and rural primary markets/apni mandies. National Horticulture Board is also implementing various schemes for enhancement of production of horticulture and its better storage.

Further, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has launched a new programme on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (VIUC), during 2011-12, under the aegis of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The Scheme is being implemented in one city each of 29 States having a population of one million or capital city.

            This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.