Madhya Pradesh’s quantum jump in horticulture development

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has taken a quantum jump in horticulture sector during last 5 years. Production of horticulture crops has increased four-fold during year 2012 compared to 2008. During the period, impressive increase has been witnessed in production of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers and medicinal & aromatic plants. Production of total horticulture crop has gone up four-fold, fruits over three-fold, vegetables about 4-fold and production of spices has gone up over 8-fold.

Production of horticulture crops was 44 lakh 7 thousand 661 MT during year 2008-09, which has gone up to 1 crore 79 lakh 87 thousand 819 MT in year 2012. This amounts to 4-fold increase.
Production of fruits was 12 lakh 18 thousand 689 MT during year 2008-09, which rose to 37 lakh 84 623 MT during year 2012-13. This amounts to over 3-fold increase. Remarkable increase was witnessed in production of mango, banana, lemon, sweet lime, orange, guava, papaya, pomegranate, waternut etc. during the period.
Vegetable production also increased considerably during the period. It was 26 lakh 80 thousand 423 MT during year 2008-09, which rose to 1 crore 8 lakh 55 thousand 943 MT. This amounts to 4-fold increase. Impressive increase was witnessed in production of potato, onion and tomato as well as gourd, Arbi, cauliflower, peas etc. during the period.
Spice production registered stupendous increased of 742.56 percent. Spice production was 3 lakh 65 thousand 185 MT during year 2008-09, which rose to 30 lakh 76 thousand 918 MT during year 2012-13. Outstanding increase was witnessed in production of chilli, ginger, turmeric, garlic, coriander, black resins and asafetida during the period.
For the first time, Madhya Pradesh took significant lead in production of flowers. It was only 1,578 MT, which went up to 1 lakh 58 thousand 199 MT during 2012-13.
Extension of area: During last 5 years, area under horticulture crops in Madhya Pradesh has gone up by 134.12 percent. During year 2008-09, horticulture crops were grown in 5 lakh 55 thousand 155 hectare, which increased to 12 lakh 99 thousand 730 hectare.
Earnest efforts: Concerted efforts have been made to achieve this quantum of horticulture development during last 5 years. During the period, special attention was paid to expansion of minor irrigation facility. From year 2008-09 to 2012-13, minor irrigation facility was provided in 1 lakh 97 thousand 107 hectare.