Which state produces most fruits available in India?
Estimated fruit production volume in India FY
2020, by leading state. Andhra Pradesh produced the largest
volume of fruits in India, accounting for over 17 million metric tons in
financial year 2020. Maharashtra came in second at over 11 million metric tons.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest fruits producer in india. Andhra Pradesh
is have mature environment for fruit produsing.
With the kind of produce they have made in fruits, AP is leading
with first position in India for fruits production. The state produces
varieties of fruits such as Nuzvid Mangoes, custard apples, and chikkus. The
total produce as of 2015’s updated reports has been 13939.1 million tonnes .
As reported by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of
the United Nations, India is the second largest producer of Fruits, as well as
Vegetables, in the world in the year 2019.
The quantum of production of Fruits and Vegetables in the
Country during 2018-19, 2019-20 & 2020-21 (Third Advance Estimates), and
the average quantum of production of these three years, is as under
Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu are the major Fruits producing States, whereas Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha are the major
Vegetables producing States of the country (in order of production, as per the
Third Advance Estimates of 2020-21).
The countries to which most of the Fruits and Vegetables
produce are exported and the quantum of such export,as reported by Directorate
General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), is at the
Annexure I and II respectively.
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
(MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15, for
holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root
and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew
and cocoa. All States (including Assam) and UTs are covered under MIDH.
The Mission envisages production and productivity
improvement of horticulture crops including fruits and vegetables through
various interventions. Under MIDH, assistance is provided for activities such
as production of planting material, 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. Capacity buildings of farmers and technicians are also
provided for adopting improved technologies. The Scheme also envisages creation
of Post Harvest Management (PHM) and marketing for better price realization of
produce.
Andhra
Pradesh produced 257.75 lakh MT of fruits and vegetables in 2019-20, making it
one of the largest producers in India.
The state supplied 180.04 lakh MT of fruits
(banana 62.97 lakh MT, mango 50.76 lakh MT, orange 22.41 lakh MT, papaya 18.08
lakh MT, lemon 6.57 lakh MT, muskmelon 4.05 lakh MT, watermelon 3.74 lakh MT
and guava 3.3 lakh MT) and 77.71 lakh MT of vegetables (tomato 26.67 lakh MT,
onion 9.8 lakh MT, green chilli 6.32 lakh MT, cucumber 8.69 lakh MT, brinjal
4.32 lakh MT and bhendi 3.32 lakh MT).
These figures account for 11.8 per cent of
the country’s total production value.
The focus is on improving network and markets
across the country so that the farmers and consumers can benefit equally, said
MVS Nagi Reddy, vice-chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Agriculture Mission
(APSAM). He noted that the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
officially announced 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
with the idea to improve healthy and sustainable food production through
innovative technology, and reduce food loss.
“Despite obstacles like Covid-19 and heavy
rains, horticulture production was better last year. This only indicates that
more farmers, mostly in Rayalaseema and upland areas of Krishna and Guntur
districts, are shifting to horticulture,” he observed.
APSAM vice-chairman said more markets need to
be explored when there is an increase in production so as to ensure that the
farmers do not suffer losses.
“As domestic consumption can’t continue to be
a target, focus is on supply to other States. Apart from exploiting those
markets, the horticulture department has been asked to ensure smoother and
faster transportation and minimal paperwork, given the goods are perishable. To
promote the horticulture produce from the State, representatives will be
deployed in different markets,” he added.
At the same time, efforts to promote better
quality produce with good demand through extension activities from horticulture
and research institutions are underway.
Fruits produced in 2019-20 (in lakh MT)
Banana 62.97, mango 50.76, orange 22.41,
papaya 18.08, lemon 6.57, muskmelon 4.05 , watermelon 3.74, guava 3.3
Vegetables produced (in lakh MT)
Tomato 26.67, onion 9.8, green chilli,
cucumber 8.69, brinjal 4.32, bhendi 3.32
