Industry body FICCI and advisory firm Grant Thornton India have unveiled a roadmap to accelerate the growth of India’s horticulture sector by 2030. Titled “Vision 2030: Focusing on High-Value Horticulture for Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the report outlines strategies to boost productivity, strengthen value addition, and enhance India’s global competitiveness. The report was presented at the National Horticulture Summit.
The summit highlighted that horticulture has emerged as the most dynamic segment of India’s agriculture sector, contributing nearly one-third to the country’s agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA). Notably, horticulture production has already surpassed foodgrain output, reflecting a structural shift in the sector.
Driven by rising domestic demand, expanding export opportunities, and increasing crop diversification by farmers, the sector continues to register strong growth. Experts noted that better income prospects and improved market linkages are encouraging farmers to shift towards high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and other horticultural produce.
Horticulture Emerges as Growth Engine
The report says, India’s horticulture sector has emerged as a major pillar of agriculture, contributing nearly one-third to the country’s agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA). Total production reached 367.72 million metric tons in 2024-25, surpassing foodgrain output and reflecting a structural shift towards high-value crops. Vegetables account for the largest share at 219.67 million tons, followed by fruits at 114.51 million tons, while other horticultural crops contribute over 33 million tons. India is now the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, with productivity improving steadily to 12.56 MT per hectare.
The sector is also gaining strength in exports and infrastructure development. Fresh fruit and vegetable exports touched USD 1.81 billion in 2024-25, with significant growth in both volume and value in recent years, alongside strong performance in processed products. To support this expansion, the government has identified 1,710 horticulture clusters and developed over 55,000 post-harvest infrastructure facilities, along with 58 Centres of Excellence. However, post-harvest losses of 8-15% remain a key challenge, highlighting the need for further investment in storage and supply chain efficiency.
Shift from Volume to Value-Led Growth
A key takeaway from the summit was the need to transition from volume-led agricultural growth to a value-driven model. The report emphasises that future growth will depend on improving quality, traceability, and market alignment rather than merely increasing output. High-value horticulture, supported by technology, research, and innovation, is seen as the pathway to enhance farmer incomes and strengthen India’s position in global agri-value chains. However, the sector continues to face structural challenges, including gaps in quality planting material, ageing orchards, fragmented post-harvest systems, and uneven standards.
Three-Phase Roadmap to 2030
The report outlines a three-phase strategy to transform the horticulture ecosystem:
Foundation Phase (2026-27): Focus on improving productivity through quality planting material, orchard rejuvenation, and cluster-based development.
Scale Phase (2027-29): Strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, processing facilities, and supply chain efficiency to reduce losses and improve value realisation.
Premiumisation Phase (2029-30): Position India as a global supplier of premium horticulture products through branding, exports, and global partnerships.
This phased approach aims to build “Brand India” in global horticulture markets and enhance farmer incomes through better integration with value chains.
Technology and Innovation as Key Drivers
The summit stressed the importance of technology adoption across the value chain—from production to marketing. Advanced tools such as AI-based advisory systems, drones, precision irrigation, and digital traceability are expected to improve productivity, quality, and transparency. Technology-driven interventions are also seen as critical for meeting global quality standards and enhancing export competitiveness.
Policy Support and Public-Private Collaboration
The report highlights that coordinated efforts between government, industry, and farmers will be essential to realise the sector’s potential. It calls for stronger public-private partnerships, increased private sector participation, and better alignment of policies and investments. Initiatives such as cluster development, Centres of Excellence, and improved access to finance and markets are expected to play a key role in scaling high-value horticulture.
Export Potential and Global Positioning
India’s horticulture exports have shown strong growth, supported by improved infrastructure, branding, and traceability systems. The country exported fresh fruits and vegetables worth over USD 1.8 billion in 2024-25, along with significant volumes of processed products. With its diverse agro-climatic conditions and expanding production base, India is well-positioned to emerge as a major global supplier of high-quality horticulture products.
Challenges and Way Forward
Despite its growth, the sector faces persistent challenges such as import dependence in certain high-value crops, underutilised processing capacity, and fragmented value chains. The report stresses that addressing these bottlenecks through systemic reforms and mission-mode implementation will be critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.