Action Plan

1. INTRODUCTION:

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has placed high emphasis on horticulture development and a number of programmes have been implemented resulting in the generation of higher incomes to the farmers. The horticulture sector in Andhra Pradesh accounted for 5.17% of GSDP, during 2004 – 05.

Horticulture is a significant contributor to the economy for its encompassing benefits not only in the agriculture sector per se but for its wider applications and benefits in improving the rural livelihood through improved nutrition, sustainable farming, employment generation, etc. The sector is a critical component in the envisaged EVERGREEN REVOLUTION.

Horticulture crops covering wide variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal & aromatic plants, floriculture, mushrooms, plantation crops and oilpalm etc., provide a remunerative means for diversification of land use for improving productivity, returns, nutritional security, increasing employment opportunities and provides raw material for growing agro – processing industries in addition to and earning valuable foreign exchange.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables in the State is growing at a faster rate as compared to other food products. Between 1996 and 2002, the consumption of dry fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables recorded a compounded annual growth rate of 19 percent, 12 percent and 11 percent respectively, as against 6 percent observed in respect of edible oils, pulses, milk and milk products and 7 percent in respect of cereals (A.P. state focus paper, NABARD).

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has been giving much needed emphasis on horticulture development and number of programmes were implemented resulting in the generation of higher incomes in the rural areas, improving the quality of life in villages to bridge the gap that exists in access to education, health and other services between rural and urban areas and creates gainful employment opportunities on a self sustaining basis.

One important trend observed in the recent years is that horticulture development has not only picked up in rural areas but also spread into urban areas and from traditional agricultural enterprise to the corporate sector. This trend has lead to the adoption of improved technology, greater commercialization and professionalism in the management of production and marketing. As a result, there is a perceptible change in the concept of horticulture development in the State. A large number of concessions, assistance and incentives are given to the growers, processors and exporters by State and Central Governments.

2. STATUS IN INDIA:

Andhra Pradesh Ranks 2^nd in production under total spices and fruits 3^rd in production under total flowers.

Cropwise, Andhra Pradesh ranks 1^st in production of mango, citrus, mosambi, papaya, chillies, turmeric and oilpalm, 2^nd in tomato and coriander 3^rd in pomegranate, 4^th in tapioca, bhendi and grapes, 5^th in banana, sapota, brinjal, onion and ginger (NHB data base 2005).

3. GROWTH:

The area under Horticulture has increased from 3.70 lakh ha. in 1982 to 16.50 lakh ha. by 2005-06.

4. PRESENT AREA UNDER HORTICULTURE (2005 – 06):

Sl. No	Crop Category	Area in ha.	Production in MT
1	2	3	4
1	Fruits	782602	8696360
2	Plantation Crops	338117	400534
3	Vegetables	246633	3973757
4	Spices	238929	852992
5	Tuber Crops	20271	400333
6	Cut Flowers	17507
7	Flowers (Loose Flowers)	16039	88806
8	Medicinal and Aromatic Plants	5642	6938
	Total	1649701	14419720 and 1253 Million coconuts& 67.05 Lakh Nos cut flowers

5. STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF HORTICULTURE:

q	Increase in production and productivity to make it as sustainable horticulture through rejuvenation of old orchards, organic farming and supply of improved and hybrid varieties instead of traditional varieties..
q	Quality improvement through adoption of crop specific I.P.M, and I.N.M, adoption of pre & post harvest management practices, etc.
q	Development of post harvest infrastructure like pre cooling, cold storages, value addition centers, etc.
q	Facilitating processing, value addition, marketing and exports.
q	Efficient and effective utilization of water through Micro Irrigation.

6. KEY- FOCUSSED AREAS UNDER HORTICULTURE:

	The key areas identified and focused under horticulture are:-
i)	*Emphasis on Knowledge inputs* : This includes training programmes, field visits, distribution of literature. Use of I.T for rapid spread of knowledge.
ii)	Focused adoption of modern technologies like : Tissue culture plants, hybrid seeds, irrigation systems, green houses etc.
iii)	*Evolve sustainable farming practices* : Micro irrigation systems, organic farming, vermicomposting, use of bio-pesticides, multistoried cropping.
iv)	*Emphasis on post production technologies* : Post harvest facilities, value addition, processing facilities, infrastructure – creation,
v)	Emphasis on marketing: Market based horticulture, explore new markets

7. KEY APPROACH - P M C C I:

q	Perspective Plan
q	Market Based Production
q	Crop Specific
q	Compact Blocks
q	Infrastructure Development

8. MAJOR THRUST AREAS AND INTERVENTIONS DURING 2007-08:

q	Increasing production and productivity through bringing additional area by diversification from traditional to market driven horticultural crops like fruits, vegetables, spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, plantation crops and flowers, rejuvenation adoption of improved package of practices, use of high yielding / hybrid quality planting materials etc.,
q	Quality improvement through crops specific IPM / INM / MNM, organic farming through facilitation in certification and setting up of vermi compost units.
q	Inorder to overcome seasonable barrier and making the vegetables and flowers available round the year, the protected cultivation is encouraged with increasing population, urbanization and availability of land becoming scares.
q	Emphasis on creation of post harvest infrastructure i.e. pack houses, cold storages, drying platforms besides providing farm mechanization equipment and post harvest tools.
q	Strengthening of Horticulture marketing infrastructure by providing assistance towards infrastructure development, setting up of rural and wholesale markets beside extending assistance for functional infrastructure like grading packing etc.,
q	Promote capacity building and human resources development at all levels – on farm training and trainings at State Horticulture Institute
q	Water is a precious and scarce input. Hence emphasis is laid on adoption of micro irrigation under lift irrigation also.
q	Facilitation in formation of crop specific growers association.
q	Facilitating in exports by issuing phytosanitary certificates, certification by agencies etc.,

9. MONITORING MECHANISM AND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION SYSTEM:

q	Department has developed website http://www.aphorticulture.com/ with all programmes and activities of the department. All the programmes / activities and performance are updated and displayed.
q	To improve the quality of the public service provided by the horticulture department through proper accountability and transparency Government has issued Citizen Charter for good governance in horticulture department vide G.O.Rt.No. 390, Agri. & Coop. (Horti.) Dept., dt.8-5-2003.
q	Programmes and activities of the department of horticulture are discussed in the meeting at ZPs / MPs and other co-ordination meetings with allied departments in the districts.
q	Review and monitoring of programmes and activities in DDRC meeting at district level where officials and public representatives participate.
q	Review and monitoring at state level through state level meetings, fortnightly videoconferences and supervisory officers nominated for the specific districts.
q	Online information and monitoring through FTP.
q	Planning and monitoring of the programmes by the DHM concerned under the chairmanship of the District Collector wherein the progressive farmers are also members.