Horticulture sector of Gujarat - Gujrat PCS Exam Notes

Horticulture sector of Gujarat

The term “horticulture” comprises the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, ornamental flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants and their post-harvest management.

Gujarat has a total geographical area of 19.6 M ha of which about 9.7 M ha is utilized for agricultural purposes. It is about 49% of the total area of the state are under cultivation. Out of the total geographical area, the area covered under command area is about 3.8 Million ha. Rain fed area of the state is about 6.6 Million ha. Average land holding of Gujarat is 2.03ha compared to 1.16ha of total of India. The area under irrigation is about 33% of the net area sown, while rest of area is cultivated under rain-fed conditions. Thus, there is large area dependence on rain in the state. Horticulture is a priority sector in Agriculture by virtue of it’s vast potential in improving the Socio – economic conditions of the farmers. The horticulture sector is supplier for large number of agro-based industries, which has high avenues for generation of skill full employment and self-employment opportunities both in rural and urban areas. Gujarat has a wide variety of soil, rainfall pattern, temperature regimes and irrigation availability. The major fruit crops grown in Gujarat are Banana, Mango, Citrus, Papaya and Sapota. In the year 2013-14 the productivity of fruit crops is estimated at 21.18 MT/ Hectare. The major vegetables grown in Gujarat are Onion, Garlic, Potato, Brinjal, Tomato, Okra and Cucurbits. In the year 2013-14, the average productivity of vegetables is estimated at 19.90 MT/Hectare.

Gujarat state mainly produces spices viz. Cumin, Fennel, and Garlic. The State enjoys monopoly in seed spices. Isabgul is prominent medicinal crop grown in the State. Area under flowers like; Rose, Lily and Marigold is increasing day by day in the State. The cultivation of medicinal plants like; Allovera, Sena, Gugal is scattered in the state.

Gujarat has taken a lead in the sector of establishing Greenhouses by producing high value flowers like; Dutch Roses, Gerberas and Carnation and vegetable crops like; Capsicum, Khira, Cucumber and Tomato. The state is in leading position in Onion, Potato, Banana and Papaya. The State also introduced new horticulture crops like; Cashew Nut, Pamaroza, Sweet Orange and medicinal crops. The climate is favourable for development of Alphanso mango in South Gujarat and Kesar in Junagadh areas. Date palm in Kutch is monopoly crop in country. Besides, Banana, Lime, Ber, Sapota, Coconut have also occupied area in the State. Horticulture in Gujarat, today, has become a sustainable and viable venture for the small and marginal farmers. It is a matter of satisfaction that their food consumption levels and household income have increased. Gujarat in the overall horticulture production of the country, which was ranked at eighth positions in 2011-12, has jumped to the fifth spot in the 2012-13, increased almost 8%. The maximum production was in fruits and flowers.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture During 12th Plan 2012-17, the central Government launched the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture to integrated all the government initiatives (MIDH) having following components: National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East &Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Central Sector Scheme of National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH) for holistic development of sector.

Soil Health Card A scheme of “Soil Health Card” has been initiated to provide farmers status on soil nutrient of their soil and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrient to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.

Government Authorities

Agriculture and Co-operation Department, Government of Gujarat

The Agriculture & Co-operation Department of Gujarat Govt. takes care of agriculture and related matters in its charge like horticulture, soil conservation, dairy development, animal husbandry, and formation of policies / schemes in co-operative activities as well as implementation, monitoring and supervision.

Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited

Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd.(GAIC) was set up in the year 1969, under the Companies Act-1956, with the objective of promoting agricultural activities and development of agro based industries in the State of Gujarat.

National Horticulture Board

National Horticulture Board (NHB) was set up by the Government of India in 1984. NHB implements various schemes under overall supervision and guidance of the Board of Directors of NHB as well as the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MIDH has been launched for the holistic development of horticulture in the country during 12th five year plan. The scheme, which has taken take off from 2014-15, integrates the on-going schemes of National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, National Bamboo Mission, National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board and Central Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland.

Floriculture

Floriculture, too, has emerged as a new farming business in Gujarat, with area under cultivation almost doubling to 12,534 hectare in 2009-10, compared to 6,956 hectare in 2004-05.

The State, which is actively promoting cultivation of rose, marigold, mogra and lily, produced 95,185 tonnes of flowers in 2009-10. The State now has 165 green-houses for floriculture that defy the vagaries of Nature impacting floriculture.

The area under spices has increased from 3.58 lakh hectare to 4.96 lakh hectare, with a lion’s share of cumin (3.11 lakh ha).

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