The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) is stepping up efforts to strengthen domestic fruit and vegetable production and reduce India’s dependence on imported horticultural products.
The push comes as the government seeks greater self-reliance in horticulture through improved research, technology adoption and higher farm productivity. During a visit to IIHR in Bengaluru, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for greater research to make India self-reliant in the production of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
India is already a major global producer of fruits and vegetables, but imports remain significant, particularly for fresh fruits. Government data show fresh-fruit imports rose from about $1.99 billion in 2019-20 to $2.73 billion in 2023-24, while volumes increased from around 994,000 tonnes to 1.79 million tonnes.
IIHR is focusing on developing improved varieties, production technologies and solutions for farmers. The institute is also working on demand-driven horticulture and has released new fruit varieties as part of efforts to improve domestic production and competitiveness.
India’s horticulture sector is expected to expand further. Government estimates put total horticulture production at 377.8 million tonnes in 2025-26, up 1.9% from the previous year. Fruit production is projected to rise 3.25% to 121.5 million tonnes, while vegetable output is estimated at 221 million tonnes.
The broader strategy includes improving productivity, post-harvest infrastructure, value addition and marketing systems. These measures could help reduce losses, strengthen domestic supply and improve India’s position in global horticultural trade.
For IIHR, the focus is increasingly on combining research and technology with commercial-scale production to meet rising domestic demand while creating opportunities for Indian horticulture to compete more effectively in export markets.