ABSTRACT
The horticultural produce includes fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, plantation crops, aromatic and medicinal plants and spices. Fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90 per cent of total horticulture production in the country. Among vegetables, potato production comprised the major share with 26 per cent and 28 per cent of overall vegetable production in 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively. India is the largest producer of ginger and okra amongst vegetables and ranks second in production of potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, brinjal, cabbages. Besides meeting the increasing demand of the domestic population, which continues to grow, India exports some portion of its horticulture produce. Except for 2010-11 when the exports of horticulture declined by about 7 per cent, the export of horticulture produce has seen an increased during the last six years. Grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, bananas, oranges account for larger portion of fruits exported from the country while onions, mixed vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes, and green chilly contribute largely to the vegetable export basket.
