As per the 2nd advance estimates for 2022-23, the total horticulture production is estimated to be 351.92 Million Tonne, surpassing the total foodgrain production of 329.69 Million Tonne during the year. At present, India is the second largest producer of vegetables and fruits in the world. Country ranks first in the production of number of crops like Banana, Lime & Lemon, Papaya, Okra.

 

The Horticulture production in the country has been steadily increasing over the years due to the proactive policies and initiatives of the Government of India and the State Governments and the improved crop production technologies and management practices.

 

For the holistic development of horticulture, for increasing area, production and creation of post-harvest infrastructure, the Government is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the States/UTs since 2014-15. Under MIDH, support for production of quality planting material, area expansion of fruits, vegetables, spices and plantation crops, protected cultivation and creation of post-harvest management infrastructures, training and capacity building etc., of farmers are provided.

 

The project proposals of State Governments for horticulture development are also supported under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

 

The details of State-wise horticulture production in the country during the last ten years are given in Annexure-1

 

The foodgrain production in the Country has recorded a consistent growth during the past years. The total foodgrain production has increased to 329.69 Million Tonne from 252.03 Million Tone in 2014-15. The compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of foodgrain production over the period was 3.41%. The details are given in Annexure-2.

 

The Government of India is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the country for increasing production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals, nutri cereals (Shree Anna) and pulses. Under NFSM, assistance is given through State/UT to the farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production, and distribution of high yielding varieties (HYVs)/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/ tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/ soil ameliorants, processing and post-harvest equipment, cropping system based trainings, etc. The Mission also provided support to Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for technology back stopping and transfer of technologies to the farmers under supervision of Subject Specialists/ Scientists.

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Meghalaya has exported 20 metric tons of Khasi Mandarin to Dubai.

 

The Directorate of Horticulture and Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board orchestrated the flagging off ceremony of 20 metric tons of Khasi Mandarin to Dubai.

 

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh expressed, 'At one point of time, we would only on a trial, internationally export 1.5 MT to 2 MT of mandarin alone; today we are talking of 20 MT. This step will instill a sense of security with our farmers telling them that we will grow together, we will benefit together. They (farmers) are going to be dictating our economy.. The next biggest challenge that we have before us which we have to handhold all our farmer groups is to get back to natural farming practices. The Organic Mission needs to be attended to. We have to reclaim our confidence in the farming communities. We will do what it takes to sensitize, educate, expose, and financially assist our farmers.'

 

Isawanda Laloo, Secretary, Department of Agriculture said, 'Our unique agro-climatic condition reflects that we have a huge array of variable fruits, and crops; and, we want to capitalize on these. Given that many of our farmers still cultivate in the traditional way, there is huge opportunity for us to capture the growing organic consumer-based market in the entire world.'

 

Stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact this venture will have on the livelihoods of farmers and the overall economic development of Meghalaya. Sunita Rai, Deputy GM APEDA in charge of NER, in her address stated, 'This is a stepping stone to success. I hope that in the days to come, from 20 MT, we can sustain to commercial shipment. We should be proud of some other local fruits which we aim to popularize.'

 

Ravi Kumar, Senior GM, Lulu Group International, in his address, emphasized, 'Last year, we promoted hardly one ton of Khasi Mandarin from Meghalaya, this year we are going to export 20 tons of Khasi Mandarin. I am expecting at least we should add one more zero next year because zero does not have value but if we put in the right place, we can have a lot of value. Automatically, the dollars will come to Meghalaya state and the lifestyle of the farmers will increase.'

 

The Farmer Producer Company (FPC)/groups where the Khasi Mandarin is being sourced is from Jirang FPC - Ri Bhoi, Tomdaksan FPO Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited – East Garo Hills, Gangga IVCS – West Garo Hills, Nongsteng IVCS – South West Khasi Hills, Narwang MPCS – East Jaintia Hills, Nongkdait Nongtwah IVCS – East Khasi Hills, Durama MPCS – West Garo Hills, Rongmil IVCS – East Garo Hills.

 

In a significant stride towards sustainable market linkage, the Agriculture Marketing Board entered an MoU with the Lulu Group on 3rd November 2023.This strategic partnership aims to foster mutual growth and promote Meghalaya's agricultural products in the GCC countries, expanding global reach.

 

Following this agreement, the Agriculture Marketing Board, with the Directorate of Horticulture, worked closely with farmers' groups to facilitate Mandarin export. The Lulu Group will receive the first 20 Metric Tons, with 2 Metric Tons already shipped for the Dubai market, marking a significant milestone with the ceremonial flag-off today.

India has exported 26.08 lakh tonnes of basmati rice and 73.18 lakh tonnes of non-basmati rice during the April-October period of this fiscal year. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda shared export data of major food grains.

 

As per the data, the exports of basmati rice stood at 45.61 lakh tonnes in the entire 2022-23 financial year while the shipments of non-basmati rice stood at 177.92 lakh tonnes.

 

Exports of basmati rice stood at 44.15 lakh tonnes in 2018-19; 44.55 lakh tonnes in 2019-20; 46.30 lakh tonnes in 2020-21; and 39.44 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.

 

The data showed that exports of rice (other than basmati) were at 76.48 lakh tonnes in 2018-19; 50.56 lakh tonnes in 2019-20; 131.49 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, and 172.89 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 fiscal.

 

India's total rice production stood at 1,357.55 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 as against 1,294.71 lakh tonnes in the previous year.

 

Rice output stood at 1,164.84 lakh tonnes in 2018-19; 1,188.70 lakh tonnes in 2019-20; and 1,243.68 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 fiscal year.

 

The government has banned exports of broken rice and non-basmati white rice. The export of broken rice was prohibited and an export duty of 20 per cent was imposed on non-basmati white rice on September 9, 2022. Subsequently, the export of non-basmati white rice was also prohibited on July 20, 2023.

The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) was approved by the Cabinet on 31st March 2021, with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crores, to be implemented from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27. The scheme consists of three components: incentivizing manufacturing in four food product segments (Ready to Cook/ Ready to Eat foods; Processed Fruits & Vegetables; Marine Products; and Mozzarella Cheese), promoting Innovative/Organic products of SMEs, and incentivising branding and marketing abroad for promoting Indian brands in the global market. Additionally, the PLI Scheme for promoting Millet-based Products was launched in the FY 2022-23 with an outlay of Rs.800 crore, utilizing the scheme’s savings.

 

The PLI beneficiaries have reported investment of Rs.7,126 crore under the scheme, with sales of Rs.49,825 crore upto April-September 2023. According to scheme guidelines, the PLI beneficiaries are required to furnish incentive claims for a specific financial year by 31st December of the following financial year. The disbursement status of incentives for FY 2021-22 is as follows:

Segment	Incentive Disbursed (Rs. Crore)
Processed Fruits & Vegetables	137.71
Ready to Cook/ Ready to Eat	362.35
Marine Products	72.31
Mozzarella Cheese	8.91
Organic Products	3.02
Total	584.30

During the formulation of PLISFPI, proactive steps were taken to align it with global best practices and market demands. The process involved active engagement with various stakeholders, including industry experts, large-scale manufacturers and SMEs, etc. An extensive consultative approach was adopted to gather inputs while formulating the scheme guidelines. This collaborative effort is continuing in form of regular engagements with the stakeholders for ensuring continued relevance and effectiveness of the scheme guidelines.

 

The scheme aims to generate employment for approximately 2.5 lakh persons. As of 30th September 2023, Quarterly Review Reports from PLI beneficiaries indicate the creation of employment for 2,37,335 persons.

 

This information was given by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

India on Tuesday deferred the mandatory requirement of a certificate of inspection by export inspection agencies for shipping both basmati and non-basmati rice to certain European countries by six more months.

 

Amending an earlier notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said that export of rice (basmati and non-basmati) to EU member states and other European countries namely UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland 'only' will require certificate of inspection from Export Inspection Council/Export Inspection Agency.

 

On May 29, 2023, the DGFT had announced the move for six months.

 

'Export to remaining European countries will not require a certificate of inspection by the Export Inspection Council (EIC)/Export Inspection Agency for export from the date of this notification for a period of six months,' the DGFT said in a notification Tuesday.

 

EIC is the official export certification body of India which ensures quality and safety of products exported from India.