The Indian Ministry of Agriculture's second advance estimates for the 2023-24 season have been released, indicating a mixed outcome for horticultural crops. The data, derived from state and other government sources, suggests an overall horticultural production of approximately 352 million tons, marking a slight reduction of 0.91% from the previous year. Notably, the production of fruits, along with honey, flowers, plantation crops, spices, aromatics, and medicinal plants, is anticipated to rise. Conversely, vegetable output is expected to decline.
Specifically, fruit production is projected at 113 million tons, with increases noted in bananas, lime/lemon, mango, guava, and grapes, while apple and pomegranate outputs are forecasted to drop.
Vegetable production is estimated at 205 million tons, with expected increases in bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, tapioca, carrot, and tomato. However, decreases are anticipated for onion, potato, brinjal, and other vegetables.
Onion production is forecasted to fall to 24 million tons, a significant decrease from the previous year, primarily due to erratic weather conditions. Potato output is also expected to decrease, particularly in Bihar and West Bengal, totaling an estimated 57 million tons. Tomato production, on the other hand, is expected to increase slightly to 21 million tons.
Source: daijiworld.com