Question : PRODUCTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

(a) whether India produces fifteen and eleven percent of World`s total production of fruits and vegetables respectively;

(b) if so, the assessment made by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether it is a fact that despite good production of fruits and vegetables in the country the contribution of India in world trade is one and a half percent in fruit and less than zero percent in vegetables; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to increase the said contribution?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): In 2012-13, India produced 12.6% and 14% of world’s total production of fruits and vegetables respectively. Major fruit and vegetable producing countries in the world is at Annexure I.

(c) & (d): As per UNCOMTRADE data, the share of India in world trade of fruits and vegetables are 0.36% and 1.03% respectively. The details are at Annexure II.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15, for holistic growth of the horticulture sector. MIDH has undertaken steps to promote holistic growth of horticulture sector, through area based regionally differentiated strategies, which include research, technology promotion, extension, post harvest management, processing and marketing in consonance with comparative advantage of each State/region and its diverse agri -climate features.

APEDA provides assistance for developing and promoting exports of its scheduled products including fruits and vegetables as given below :

# Infrastructure Development: the exporters are supported for creation of infrastructure required for post harvest handling, specialized cold storages like high humidity, controlled /modified atmosphere, mechanized grading, sorting and packaging. Financial assistance is provided for establishment of common infrastructure facilities by Central/State Government agencies wherein APEDA provides 90% grant-in-aid. A sub-component “establishment of common infrastructure facilities in PPP mode by Government or Public sector agencies” has been introduced with 75% grant-in-aid to special purpose vehicles (SPV) by APEDA.

# Market Promotion: for brand publicity through advertisement, packaging, participation in international trade fairs etc.

# Quality Development for purchase of laboratory testing equipment, implementation of quality management systems like ISO/HACCP/TNC/BRC/TQM,GAP, reimbursement of testing charges for analysis of water, soil, residues of pesticides etc and for getting export oriented need based research conducted. For export testing purposes, APEDA has recognized laboratories for assessment, audit and surveillance.

# Transport Assistance Scheme: to subsidize freight so as to make the produce cost competitive in global market.

# Market Access: APEDA is also taking initiatives for opening of new markets for various fruits and vegetables. In the recent past, market access for following products has been obtained :-

 Mango	–	Australia and New Zealand Pomegranate and Litchi – USA Grapes	–	Chile