Horticultural Crops

Assam is traditionally rich in horticultural production due to its diverse and unique agro-climatic condition which is conductive for growing wide range of horticultural crops like various fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, nuts, tuber crops and medicinal and aromatic plants. World citrus belt encompasses Assam within it.

Horticultural crops occupy about 15 percent of the gross cultivated area of Assam and annually produces more than 14.0 lakh MT of fruits, 39.0 lakh MT of vegetables and 2.0 lakh MT of spices besides nut crops, flowers and medicinal & aromatic plants thus contributing significantly towards food and nutritional security of the State. In spite of having all these inherent potentiality, commercialisation of horticulture sector in Assam is not yet achieved.

During the 11^th Five Year Plan period maximum focus on raising productivity of various commercially potential crops through use of better technology, management and planting materials is being given. Similarly due importance has been given on various aspects of post harvest aspects like pre-harvest treatment, proper harvest, setting up of collection centres with grading facilities and transport facilities. Marketing and processing, involvement of private sectors more particularly for contractual farming and buy back arrangement are also being considered as prime area of intervention.

Area, Production and Average yield of some Major Horticultural Crops of Assam during the year 2009-10 (Estimated):

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Area, Production and Average yield of some Major Horticultural Crops of Assam:

NB : K- Kharif, R- Rabi.

Source: Statistical Handbook Assam, 2010