Horticulture of Telangana | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Definition of Horticulture

• Horticulture may be broadly defined as the Science and art of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers and crops like spices condiments and other plantation crops.
• It is a science of cultivation of Garden plants.
• The word Horticulture in derived from the Latin word Hortus meaning enclosure (garden) and culture – meaning, cultivation,. Thus Horticulture mans culture or cultivation of garden crops.

Branches of Horticulture

Horticultural Science is the most distinct branch of Agricultural Sciences and can be divided into four different branches as follows.

Main Branches

• Pamology: It deals with cultivation of fruit crops.
• Olericulture: It deals with cultivation of vegetable crops.
• Floriculture: It deals with cultivation of ornamental flowers and landscaping.
• Fruit and vegetable preservation: It deals with the principles of fruit and vegetable preservation.

Sub Branches

• Plantation and Medicinal plants.
• Ornamental Gardening
• Landscape gardening and
• Nursery plant production

Horticulture of Telangana

• Horticulture of Telangana has become a vital component of Agriculture, offering farmers a wide variety of crop options and supporting numerous agro-industries, thereby creating job prospects for semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
• In Telangana, Horticulture has experienced significant growth and plays a pivotal role in the state's economy, contributing approximately 5.16% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
• Telangana ranks 3rd in terms of area and 8th in the production of fruits and vegetables in India.
• Total Geographical Area: 114.84 Lakh Ha
• Total Net Irrigated Area: 17.73 Lakh Ha.
• Area under Horticulture: 8.20 Lakh Ha (1st Estimates 14-15)
• Production of Horticultural Crops: 94.54 Lakh MT
• Telangana leads in both area and production of Turmeric.
• Telangana is placed 11th in Area and 13th in Production of Vegetables.
• Fruits and vegetables account for 74% of the total horticulture cropped area.

Telangana Potential in Horticulture of Telangana

• Suitable Agro-Climatic conditions and Soils: Telangana boasts favorable agro-climatic conditions and diverse soils, providing an ideal environment for horticultural activities.
• Availability of vast extents of land for area expansion: The region offers ample land for agricultural expansion, allowing for the growth and diversification of horticultural crops.
• Well connected rail, road, and air network: Telangana's robust transportation infrastructure, including railways, roads, and airports, facilitates the efficient distribution of horticultural produce to various markets.
• Increased awareness among consumers for nutritive diet: There is a growing consumer awareness regarding the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in maintaining a nutritious diet, driving demand for horticultural products.
• Large Network of Nurseries/Seed Agencies/R&D: The presence of a well-established network of nurseries, seed agencies, and research and development institutes supports the development and adoption of advanced horticultural practices.
• Enterprising & Progressive farming community: Telangana is home to a dynamic and forward-thinking farming community that plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and productivity in the horticulture sector.
• Export potential for Mango, Banana, and Vegetables & Flowers - International Airport - Potential to become export Hub: With export opportunities for key horticultural products such as mangoes, bananas, vegetables, and flowers, coupled with the presence of an international airport, Telangana has the potential to emerge as a significant export hub.
• Blooming of Retail Fresh Chains in Hyderabad - provide impetus to production & ensuring better price realization to grower: The emergence of retail chains focusing on fresh produce in Hyderabad not only stimulates horticultural production but also ensures improved price realization for growers.
• Agro-based industries can spur generation of employment in the future in Telangana State: The development of agro-based industries has the capacity to create substantial employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic growth of Telangana in the coming years.

Area Production - 2015-16 (Final Estimate)

(Area in lakh Ha & Production in Lakh MTs)

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture of Telangana

The State Horticulture Mission (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) was launched on 3rd November, 2005, under National Horticulture Mission.

Objectives

• To achieve comprehensive growth in the field of horticulture by employing region-specific strategies encompassing research, technology advancement, extension services, post-harvest management, processing, and marketing. These strategies should align with the unique agricultural and climatic conditions of each state or region.
• To increase horticulture production, enhance nutritional security, and provide income support to farming households.
• To foster coordination and harmony among various existing and planned initiatives aimed at horticulture development.
• To encourage the promotion, advancement, and dissemination of technologies by blending traditional knowledge with modern scientific advancements.
• To create employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled individuals, particularly targeting unemployed youth.

Horticulture Districts in Telangana

• Adilabad
• Nirmal
• Manchiryal
• Asifabad (Komaram Bheem)
• Nizamabad
• Kamareddy
• Karimnagar
• Jagityal
• Peddapalli
• Siricilla
• Sanga Reddy
• Medak
• Siddipet
• Warangal (Urban)
• Warangal (Rural)
• Mahaboobabad
• Bhupalapally
• Janagam
• Khammam
• Kothagudem
• Nalgonda
• Suryapet
• Yadadri
• Mahaboobnagar
• Nagarkurnool
• Wanaparthy
• Gadwal (Jogulamba)
• Vikarabad
• Ranga Reddy
• Medchal (Malkajgiri)

Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• Telangana possesses favorable agro-climatic conditions for cultivating various horticulture crops, particularly vegetables, which significantly contribute to the State Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
• Under the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), strategic planning for vegetable cultivation is undertaken across three distinct seasons: Kharif, Rabi, and summer, with the following aims:

Objectives

• Enhancing production by facilitating the distribution of high-quality hybrid vegetable seeds to meet the consistent demand for vegetables, thereby bolstering nutritional security.
• Ensuring a year-round availability of vegetables and elevating nutritional standards in rural regions.
• Establishing essential infrastructure such as permanent pandals at farmers' fields to enhance the quality production of vine vegetables.
• Promoting the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies.
• Minimizing losses incurred during the post-harvest phase.
• Augmenting farmers' knowledge and skills through training sessions and exposure visits focusing on the latest advancements in agricultural practices.

Major Schemes under RKVY

• Supply of Hybrid Vegetable Seed – Farmers can receive a 50% subsidy on Hybrid vegetable seeds priced at Rs. 3000/- per hectare, with a maximum limit of 2 hectares per beneficiary.
• Creeper Mesh - Beneficiaries are eligible for 50% assistance, capped at Rs. 40000/- per acre, with a maximum limit of 1 hectare per beneficiary.
• Supply of Shade Net for Vegetable Cultivation - Farmers can obtain shade nets at Rs. 25/- per Sqm with a 50% assistance not exceeding Rs. 12.5/- per sq.mt. Each farmer can avail up to 10000 sq. mts.
• Seedling Protrays - Farmers can receive a 50% assistance not exceeding Rs. 7.50/- per protray of 99 cells, with a maximum limit of 200 protrays per farmer.
• Vegetable Mini Kits - Farmers are eligible for a 90% assistance per kit priced at Rs. 100/-. Each farmer can avail up to 2 Vegetable mini kits.
• Permanent Pandals - Assistance of 50% not exceeding Rs. 100000/-per acre is available, with a maximum eligibility of 1 hectare per beneficiary.
• Plastic Crates - Farmers can receive 50% of the cost of plastic crates subject to a maximum of Rs. 120/- per crate, with a maximum eligibility of 40 crates per farmer.
• 75% subsidy on onion seed distribution has been initiated to cover 14000 acres. A draft Onion Price Stabilization policy has been submitted to the Government.

Poly House – State Plan (Under Department of Horticulture of Telangana)

• Poly Houses are protective structures constructed using GI pipes and polythene for growing high-value horticulture crops.
• The Government of Telangana initiated a Polyhouse establishment scheme in 2014-15 under the State Plan Schemes through the Department of Horticulture.

Objectives of the Scheme

• Boost productivity per unit area.
• Promote high-value horticulture crops within Poly Houses.
• Enable year-round production of flower and vegetable crops.
• Address the consumer needs in Hyderabad and the entire state.

Scheme Highlights

• The scheme offers a 75% subsidy under the Normal State Plan for vegetables and flowers throughout the state.
• Beneficiaries can avail themselves of a minimum of 200 sq. meters to a maximum of 3.00 acres, particularly targeting small farmers with 0.5 to 1.0 acre land.
• Farmers have the flexibility to choose from empanelled and registered companies for implementation.

VIUC Implementation in Telangana

• The implementation in Telangana is characterized by a catchy Telugu phrase, "Mana Ooru Mana Kuragayalu."

VIUC in Telangana is Implemented in Telugu Catchy phrase as “Mana Ooru Mana Kuragayalu”

• Develop a vegetable production plan based on market arrivals of the last five years to ensure the availability of vegetables round the year.
• Facilitate the transfer of technology and encourage its adoption by farmers.
• Strengthen the Vegetable Value chain by establishing marketing linkages in Mahbubnagar, Medak & Ranga Reddy districts, which are primary suppliers to the Hyderabad Market.
• Enhance production and productivity through the adoption of best innovative practices.

Need for VIUC in Telangana

• Hyderabad's population is approximately 100 lakhs.
• As per ICMR recommendations, the daily requirement is 300 g/person/day.
• The annual requirement is 11 lakh tonnes.
• The total annual estimated arrivals in Hyderabad city are 7.8 LakhMTs, resulting in a gap of 3.2 lakh MTs that needs to be addressed through VIUC intervention.

Horticulture Department of Telangana

Objective

• Identifying Suitable Areas for Horticultural Crops:
• Motivating and Educating Farmers:
• Providing Latest Technologies and Good Agriculture Practices:
• Creating Awareness on Water-Use Management:
• Implementing Horticultural Programs:

Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University (SKLTSHU)

• Apart from these 11 Research stations which are catering to the research needs in major horticultural crops, there is significant potential to establish new research stations, primarily focusing on dry land crops due to the extensive dry land areas in the state. The majority of the farming systems in the region revolve around dry land crops.
• Given the increasing demand for chillies and onions, along with the feasibility of cultivating potatoes in the Telangana region, there is a necessity and opportunity to set up specialized research stations dedicated to these crops.
• To align with this vision, SKLTSHU aims to establish the following research stations:
  • Dry land Horticultural Research Station in Mahaboobnagar district
  • Chilli and Seed Spice Research Station in Warangal district
  • Potato and Onion Research Station in Zaheerabad, Medak district
• To enhance the quality of research endeavors, a state-of-the-art PG research center equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced equipment is under development in Mulugu, the new headquarters of SKLTSHU.

New Research Stations

Dry land Horticultural Research Station in Mahaboobnagar

• Owing to the arid climate in Telangana, the state shows great potential for expanding the cultivation of dry fruit crops such as pomegranate, fig, custard apple, ber, anola, wood apple, beal, sapota, and guava. This shift towards growing dry land horticultural crops is crucial for farmers to enhance their economic well-being, especially in the face of climate change.
• With the looming challenges of climate change, cultivating dry land horticultural crops emerges as a viable solution to uplift the financial status of farmers. Many are transitioning from traditional agricultural crops to these drought-resistant options.
• Opting for dry land horticultural crops, characterized by high water use efficiency, stands out as the most effective strategy amidst climate change-induced uncertainties like drought, particularly in Telangana's Mahaboobnagar district.
• Despite the promising prospects, Telangana currently allocates minimal acreage to dry land crops like custard apple, pomegranate, sapota, fig, and ber. Increasing the cultivation of these crops is imperative to bolster the economic condition of farmers and mitigate the risk of farmer suicides.
• Introducing new crops such as Kinnow, Date palm, and Apple ber could further diversify agricultural practices in Telangana, leveraging the state's favorable conditions for their growth.
• Given the circumstances, there is a pressing need to boost dry land horticultural crop cultivation by establishing a specialized Research Station in Mahaboobnagar. This station would focus on crops like pomegranate, fig, custard apple, sapota, ber, anola, wood apple, beal, and guava.

Chilli and Seed Spice Research Station of Horticulture of Telangana

• In Telangana State, dry chillies are cultivated in 9 out of 10 districts, with the highest acreage in Khammam and Warangal districts. Notably, Medak and Rangareddy districts have a significant area dedicated to green chillies. The average productivity of chillies stands at 3 metric tons per hectare.
• Warangal district in Telangana specializes in growing the chapta variety of chilli, fetching favorable prices for farmers. Additionally, Telangana chillies boast a high oleoresin content of up to 11.2%.
• Previously in undivided Andhra Pradesh, the chilli research station at LAM, Guntur, focused on addressing the needs of chilli farmers, with a specific emphasis on location-based research tailored to the Guntur and Andhra Region.
• As the cultivation of green and dry chillies escalates in the state, there is a pressing demand for location-specific research on the crop. Consequently, establishing a dedicated chilli research station has become imperative, leading to the procurement of 85 acres of land near Warangal.

Potato and Onion Research Station at Zaheerabad

• In Telangana, potato cultivation is prominent in Medak, Rangareddy, and Khammam districts.
• Most potato cultivation in Medak district utilizes drip irrigation, a modern method not widely adopted in other major potato-growing regions.
• Potato productivity in Telangana surpasses that of other states, indicating a potential for further development in the state.
• Onion cultivation spans 33851 hectares in Telangana, with significant production in Mahaboobnagar and Medak districts.
• Ginger and garlic cultivation is on the rise in Telangana, particularly in Medak district.
• Expanding onion cultivation could help mitigate climate-related challenges faced by Telangana farmers.
• Challenges include seed tuber procurement issues, lack of suitable varieties, and insufficient information on practices like fertigation and mechanization.
• Research gaps exist in location-specific technologies for the region, emphasizing the need for a research station in Medak district.
• The cultivation of potato is a key agricultural activity in Telangana, with Medak, Rangareddy, and Khammam being notable districts.
• Medak district stands out for embracing drip irrigation in a significant portion of its potato fields, a modern approach not widely adopted elsewhere.
• Compared to other states, Telangana demonstrates higher potato productivity, signaling opportunities for enhanced cultivation efforts.
• Onion farming covers a substantial area in Telangana, with major production hubs in Mahaboobnagar and Medak districts.
• Growth in ginger and garlic cultivation is noticeable in Telangana, particularly in Medak district.
• Expanding the cultivation of onions could help alleviate the impact of climate variations on farmers in Telangana.
• Farmers encounter challenges such as difficulties in sourcing seed tubers, lack of suitable local varieties, and inadequate guidance on practices like fertigation and mechanization.
• The region lacks research on technologies tailored to its specific needs, underscoring the necessity for a research station in the favorable climatic conditions of Medak district.

National Horticulture Mission (N H M) of India

• Recognizing the significance of the horticulture sector in Indian agriculture growth, the National Horticulture Mission was launched as announced by the Honorable Finance Minister during his budget speech on July 8, 2004.
• The horticulture sector encompasses fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, flowers, mushrooms, and various plantation crops like coconut, areca nut, cashew nut, and cocoa. This sector has made a substantial contribution to the GDP in agriculture, increasing from 8.5% to 28.5%.
• The National Horticulture Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme where the Government of India provided 100% assistance to the state mission during the year 2005-06. In the XI plan, the assistance from the Government of India will be 85%, with a 15% contribution from the State Government.

Objectives

• To maximize horticulture development in the State and increase production of all horticultural products such as Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, Plantation crops, Spices, and Medicinal Aromatic plants.
• To ensure comprehensive growth of the horticulture sector by implementing regionally tailored strategies.
• To boost horticulture production, enhance nutritional security, and provide income support to farming households.
• To facilitate coordination and harmony among various ongoing and planned horticulture programs.
• To advance the adoption, advancement, and dissemination of technologies by blending traditional knowledge with modern scientific insights.
• To create employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled individuals, particularly unemployed youth.