Why India is Putting Impetus on Horticulture Crop then the Food Crops ?

Horticultural crops have emerged as the best options not only to provide required nutrients but also to enhance access to food through enhanced farm profitability. Changing food patterns i.e. from predominantly cereal based diets to a richer mix of vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat due to increased incomes and greater nutritional awareness are steadily increasing the importance of horticultural production and trade. Total horticulture production in the year 2023-24 is 355.25 million tonnes and area are 28.77 million hectares according to Press Information Bureau Report Delhi. The sector has enormous potential to address Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development agenda, which seeks to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, and to double agricultural productivity by 2030. Horticulture provides a wider choice for farmers and also complements the food sector, i.e. with potato, tuber crops, banana and vegetables. According to GOI: A new paradigm shift in farming in the recent past has been towards horticulture-based farming systems to ensure greening, environmental services and to provide nutritious food while enhancing farm profitability. Apart from ensuring nutritional security of the nation, it provides alternate rural employment opportunities, diversification in farm activities, and enhanced income to farmers. India is currently producing about 320.48 million tons of horticulture produce which has surpassed the food grain production, that too from much less area (25.66 Mha. for horticulture against 127.6 Mha. for food grains). Productivity of horticulture crops is much higher compared to productivity of food grains (12.49 tones/ha against 2.23 tones/ha.). Most important among govt initiatives for strengthening the F&V sector is announcement of Second Phase of Green Revolution shift to Horticulture, which was announced in Union Budget (2014-2015).