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India's horticulture boom reshapes farming with record growth and exports

From coconut to agarwood, India's high-value crops are transforming rural livelihoods. Discover how exports and innovation are fueling this green revolution.

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
The image shows a map of India with the provinces of India and the Indian Ocean, as well as text...
The image shows a map of India with the provinces of India and the Indian Ocean, as well as text and pictures of trees. It is a detailed map of the Indian subcontinent, showing the various states and their borders. The text on the map provides additional information about the region, such as the names of cities, rivers, and other geographical features. The pictures of the trees add a touch of nature to the map, making it a beautiful and unique piece of art.

India's horticulture boom reshapes farming with record growth and exports

Over the past decade, horticultural production surged from 277.35 million tonnes (2013-14) to 370.74 million tonnes (2024-25). Unlike cereals, these crops generate superior returns per unit of land, fuel agro-processing, and are pivotal for achieving the USD 2 trillion export target by 2030.

Regionally Anchored Strategies

The Union Budget 2026-27 adopts a crop-specific, geographically aligned framework to leverage agro-climatic advantages.

1. Coastal Regions: The Plantation Powerhouse

  • Coconut: India produces 13.97 million tonnes, supporting 30 million livelihoods. Keralam holds the largest area (7.54 lakh ha), while Andhra Pradesh leads in productivity.
  • Cashew: Known as the "Gold Mine of Wasteland" for its resilience, it covers 12.05 lakh ha. India exported cashew worth USD 369.17 million in 2024-25.
  • Cocoa: Primarily grown as an intercrop with coconut and arecanut in Andhra Pradesh and Keralam.

2. North-Eastern Region (NER): The Aromatic Hub

  • Agarwood (Oud): Nearly 90% of India's 150 million trees are in the NER.
  • Economic Potential: The market in Tripura alone has an annual turnover potential of ₹2,000 crore.
  • Regulatory Support: Export quotas for agarwood chips and oil have been integrated into the DGFT portal to streamline trade.

3. Himalayan & Hilly Regions: Premium Nut Crops

  • Walnuts: Production reached 3.22 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with J&K dominating cultivation.
  • Almonds: J&K accounts for over 83% of national production.
  • Chilgoza (Pine Nut): Crucial for tribal livelihoods in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.

Institutional Framework

  • Coconut Development Board: Facilitates Coconut FPOs and the new "Coconut Promotion Scheme" to replace aging trees.
  • Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD): Formulates development programs and monitors MIDH schemes from its base in Kochi.
  • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): The overarching scheme for area expansion, nursery modernization, and training.

Challenges

  • Value Addition Gaps:The Hindu reports that while raw production is high, India lacks sufficient advanced processing units for "application-oriented" products like virgin coconut oil and cocoa butter.
  • Climate Vulnerability:ORF notes that coastal cashew and coconut plantations are increasingly susceptible to cyclones and rising sea levels, necessitating climate-resilient saplings.
  • Logistics in Hilly Areas:PRS Legislative highlights that high-value nuts from the Himalayas face steep transportation costs and poor cold-chain connectivity to southern export hubs.

Way Forward

  • High-Density Cultivation: Implementing the Budget 2026-27 proposal to rejuvenate low-yielding orchards for walnuts and almonds.
  • Self-Reliance (Atmanirbharta): Strengthening the dedicated program for Indian Cashew and Cocoa to reduce import dependence on raw materials.
  • Branding & Marketing: Positioning "Indian Agarwood" and "Himalayan Nuts" as premium global brands to capture high-end markets in the UAE, USA, and EU.
  • Geospatial Mapping: Expanding area-expansion plans in the NER using geospatial tools for sustainable agarwood trade.

Conclusion

Agriculture in Viksit Bharat is transitioning from traditional staples to a high-value horticultural economy by aligning crop-specific strategies with local agro-climatic strengths from coastal plantations to Himalayan nuts.

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