India’s horticulture sector is rapidly emerging as a key pillar of agricultural growth, driven by consistent expansion in both cultivated area and production. Recent data highlights a steady rise in the output of fruits, vegetables, spices, and other high-value crops, reinforcing the sector’s role in boosting farm incomes and strengthening nutritional security.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while releasing the final estimates for 2024–25 and the first advance estimates for 2025–26, underscored the sector’s strong performance. He noted that improved productivity, adoption of modern technologies, and better market linkages are positioning horticulture as a sustainable and profitable avenue for farmers.
According to official figures, the total area under horticulture crops increased from 29.086 million hectares in 2023–24 to 30.136 million hectares in 2024–25, reflecting an expansion of 1.05 million hectares (3.61%). Production also registered a significant rise, growing from 354.74 million tonnes to 370.74 million tonnes—an increase of 15.99 million tonnes (4.51%). For 2025–26, total horticulture output is projected to reach 370.85 million tonnes, indicating sustained momentum in the sector.
Fruit production rose by 4.13% in 2024–25 to reach 117.65 million tonnes, supported by higher yields of banana, mango, citrus fruits, papaya, guava, and watermelon. Vegetable production increased by 5.11% to 217.80 million tonnes, led by key crops such as onion, potato, green chilli, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, okra, peas, pumpkin, and cucumber. The positive trend is expected to continue into 2025–26, further enhancing both farmer incomes and food availability.
Essential kitchen staples also recorded notable growth. Onion cultivation expanded sharply from 1.541 million hectares to 1.968 million hectares, with production reaching 30.77 million tonnes. Potato production is estimated at 58.57 million tonnes, while tomato output, after a slight dip, is projected to rise to 22.70 million tonnes in 2025–26. These increases are expected to improve supply stability while supporting better returns for farmers.
High-value segments such as spices, flowers, and medicinal plants also performed strongly. The area under aromatic and medicinal crops reached 0.983 million hectares, with production at 0.90 million tonnes . Floriculture witnessed over 25% growth in area, with production climbing to 4.27 million tonnes. Spices covered 5.093 million hectares, producing 12.99 million tonnes, with cumin, ginger, garlic, and turmeric contributing significantly.
Plantation Crops and the Way Forward:
After a temporary decline, plantation crops are expected to recover in 2025–26, with projected growth of 1.61% in area and 5.82% in production. Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the government is strengthening the sector through investments in technology, irrigation, value chains, processing, cold storage, and market infrastructure.
FAQs:
1. What is the total area under horticulture in India 2024–25?
The area reached 30.136 million hectares in 2024–25, up from 29.086 million hectares in 2023–24.
2. How much fruit did India produce in 2024–25?
India produced 117.65 million tonnes of fruits, including banana, mango, citrus, papaya, and guava.
3. Which vegetables saw the highest growth?
Onion, potato, tomato, green chilli, cauliflower, and cabbage led vegetable production growth.
4. What is the production of high-value crops?
Spices, flowers, and medicinal plants produced 12.99 million tonnes, 4.27 million tonnes, and 0.90 million tonnes respectively.
5. How is the government supporting horticulture growth?
Through technology adoption, irrigation projects, processing units, cold storage facilities, and improved market linkages.
