08 February 2025 : Daily Answer Writing
Q1) While India’s horticulture sector has emerged as a rapidly growing industry, it faces many challenges in tapping its true potential. Critically analyze. (150 Words/10 Marks)
Answer
India’s horticulture sector, indeed, holds immense potential and has shown greater profitability and productivity compared to traditional agriculture. This sector encompasses the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, medicinal plants, and plantation crops.
Significance of India’s Horticulture Sector:
- Production and Efficiency: (a) India is the second largest producer in fruits and vegetables [largest producer for ginger, banana, mangoes, papaya, etc.]; (b) horticulture employs much less area than agriculture [25.66 million hectares vs 127.6 million hectares] yet produces more; (c) productivity of horticulture [12.5 Tonnes/ha] is greater than agriculture [2.2 Tonnes/ha].
- Economic Contribution: (a) horticulture employs only 10% of land but contributes 33% to agricultural GVA (Gross Value Added); (b) global horticulture market is estimated to be valued at $22 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $52 Billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 9.9%.
- Ecological: (a) crop diversification – horticulture promotes a wide variety of produce leading to biological and genetic diversity; (b) soil health – crop rotation, polyculture, and use of organic compost enhances soil health; (c) urban sustainability – incorporation of horticulture into urban landscapes, and reduction of urban heat island effect; (d) others – intensive use of small land areas to produce high yields, agroforestry, and erosion control.
However, Horticulture Sector faces diverse challenges:
- Post-Harvest Losses: (a) approx. 15-20% of the produce is lost as post-harvest losses; (b) lack of proper storage reduces shelf-life and market value; (c) inadequate cold-chain storage and transportation lead to wastage and spoilage.
- Market Access: (a) limited access to markets limits farmers ability to sell and obtain a fair price; (b) supply chains are often fragmented and inefficient, leading to delays, increased costs, and quality deterioration; (c) challenges in meeting international quality standards and obtaining necessary certifications limits producers’ ability to export products [insignificant share in global trade only 1% in fruits and vegetables]; (d) lack of forward and backward linkages with food-processing limits economic potential.
- Ecological: Climate change, water scarcity, monocropping and soil degradation pose significant threats – (a) erratic weather patterns lead to reduced yields and crop losses; (b) changing weather patterns are affecting biological cycles of crops; (c) limited access due to overexploitation of water sources by other sectors + inefficient water management poses another serious challenge.
- Others: (a) inconsistent policies and regulatory frameworks create uncertainties for producers and investors; (b) reliance on traditional methods limits defence against pests and diseases. (c) small operational land holdings
For more such UPSC related Mains Answer Writing, Check Out – 07 February 2025 : Daily Answer Writing
