Madhya Pradesh Sets New Record as India's Leading Producer of Spice Crops
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has shattered previous records by recording an impressive 54 lakh metric tonnes of spice crop production during the 2023-24 season, making it the country's leading producer in this sector.
The state's dedication to supporting farmers in the horticulture sector under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's holistic approach is yielding remarkable results. With a commitment to agricultural diversification, Madhya Pradesh has seen an increase in spice farming, and has become a cornerstone of the rural economy.
According to officials from the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, 8.32 lakh hectares have been dedicated to spice cultivation this year alone. This significant push reinforces the state's vision for agricultural diversification.
In recent times, the increasing demand for spices such as turmeric, garlic, chilli, ginger, coriander, fenugreek, cumin, and fennel has attracted more farmers to the industry, resulting in a surge of 2.16 lakh metric tonnes in spice production over the past four years.
Spice crops have proven to be highly lucrative for farmers such as Monu Khan from Tikamgarh district, who cultivates capsicum, tomato, and green chilli on 12 hectares and harvests up to 35 quintals of capsicum daily. Rajesh Shah from Kalda village in Khargone district has also seen substantial growth with his dedicated 12 acres solely for green chillies.
Madhya Pradesh's success in spice production is giving hope to farmers who are looking to diversify into horticultural crops.
Here are some key statistics that highlight Madhya Pradesh's achievements:
- Chilli cultivation has increased from 50,933 hectares in the 2020-21 season to 64,116 hectares in the 2023-24, with production surging to over 10 lakh metric tonnes.
- Spice production has recorded a significant surge of 13,110 hectares in horticultural crop cultivation in just one year, benefiting over 42,700 farmers from government grants worth Rs 44.85 crore.
These achievements underscore the potential of horticulture in Madhya Pradesh's agricultural landscape and pave the way for increased productivity, profitability, and progress in the state's rural economy.
Source: Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Madhya Pradesh
Note: Date of writing (December 2023) must be added to the content if necessary.