Why In News?
Muzaffarpur-based National Research Centre on Litchi is providing technical help, plants and training to farmers with the sole aim of expanding the fruit’s cultivation across India.
What are the Important Facts about Litchi?
- Botanically: Litchi, classified under the Sapindaceae family, is renowned for its delectable, juicy, translucent aril or edible flesh
- Climatic Conditions: Thriving in sub-tropical climates, litchi prefers moist conditions and is best suited for regions with low elevation, up to approximately 800 meters.
- Soil Suitable For Cultivation : Deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter.
- Temperature Sensitivity: sensitive to extreme temperatures, does not tolerate temperatures above 40.5 degrees Celsius in summer or freezing temperatures in winter.
- Rainfall Impact: Prolonged rainfall, especially during the flowering stage, can disrupt pollination and adversely affect the crop.
- Geographical Cultivation: Traditionally, commercial litchi cultivation in India was confined to the northern regions, specifically in the foothills of the Himalayas extending from Tripura to Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. However, due to increased demand and economic viability, litchi cultivation has expanded to include states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- Contribution: Bihar has emerged as a major contributor(nearly 40% of India’s litchi production) then followed by West Bengal (12%), and Jharkhand( 10% )of the national production.
- India Ranked : Globally India at 2nd after China.
What is Horticulture?
The word horticulture comes from the Latin words hortus (garden) and cultura (culture). Horticulture is a branch of agriculture that deals with the science, art, and practice of growing and cultivating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds, non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.
It encompasses a broad spectrum of activities related to plant cultivation, management, propagation, and improvement for human use and enjoyment.
Horticulture is important for the development of the rural economy. It provides a way to generate income and employment in rural areas. The cultivation of trees and plants helps to:
- Absorb carbon dioxide
- Reduce air pollution
- Maintain soil fertility
- Conserve water
- Conserve energy
Horticulture covers various sub-disciplines such as pomology (fruit cultivation), olericulture (vegetable cultivation), floriculture (flower cultivation), and landscape horticulture.
Steps taken for Horticulture:
| Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): | MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables and other areas. Under MIDH, Government of India contributes 60% of the total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states (except North Eastern and Himalayan states where GOI contributes 90%) & 40% is contributed by State governments. |
| Horticulture Cluster Development Programme: | It is a central sector programme aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive. Horticulture cluster is a regional/geographical concentration of targeted horticulture crops. |
| UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Q. Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (2018) |