Fruit production in India has seen a significant slowdown in growth over the past eight years, including in apples, bananas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, total production of fruits in the country grew by just 17% in the eight years leading up to 2021-11, the latest for which data is available. This represented a sharp decline compared to the 72% jump seen in production in the previous nine years.
Much of the reason for the lackluster production figures can be attributed to a decline in the area under fruit cultivation. Total area under fruit cultivation fell 2.1% between 2013-14 and 2021-22 to 6.97 mln hectares from 7.12 mln hectares.
“The main reason for the decline in area of production in 2021-22 is because of diversion of cultivation to some other profitable horticulture crops,” the ministry told the committee, adding that farmers are switching away from some crops because of pests and diseases and low yield due to uncongenial climatic factors.
Source: newindianexpress.com
