Economic Affairs

In view of increasing demand for Indian Horticulture produce, fresh and processed products in the International market, the export of horticultural crops at all India level has picked up. As India stands second in production of both fruits and vegetables, spices and few plantation crops such as tea and coffee fetching more export value in the International market. The horticultural exports in India have increased after the implementation of NHM scheme. Horticulture production in India has crossed the production of agriculture crops and reached a highest production of 280 million tonnes during 2012. India is exporting horticultural crops mainly to U.A.E., Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The two major countries that import most of India's horticultural crops are UAE and Saudi Arabia. These findings were similar with findings of the study conducted by Mittal (2007) stating that fruits and vegetables exports has expanded rapidly in the international market. The number of commodities as well as the number of varieties produced and traded have increased manifold during the past 25 years. There is an overall increase in the demand for fruits and vegetables for consumption both in fresh and processed form. In Karnataka, the growth in export of horticultural crops in quantity terms has increased from 2.03 to 31.98 per cent between pre and post NHM period. Similarly, the growth in horticultural exports in value terms also has increased from 1.92 to 30 per cent between pre and post NHM period. Karnataka state is one among the major states in involved in production and export of horticulture produce in India. The growing demand for horticultural crops such as mango, pomegranate, grapes and processed products has increased in International market. The processed products like pickles, chutney, raisin, have more demand in the international market. This trend has been increased specially after the implementation of NHM scheme.