Welcome
to
11^th Indian Horticulture Congress - 2025
and International meet on
Horticulture for Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable Growth

Horticulture plays a pivotal role in the fIndian economy, significantly contributing to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), ensuring nutritional security, generating rural employment, and enhancing farmers' incomes. It serves as a major driver of diversification in farming practices and stands out as a key source of export earnings, particularly in fruits, vegetables, and spices. Recognized as a critical engine of agricultural growth, the horticulture sector currently contributes approximately 33% to agriculture GVA, representing a substantial share of the agricultural GDP. In the fiscal year 2024–25,India's total horticulture production is estimated at 362.09 million tonnes, marking a 2.07% increase over the previous year. The total area under horticultural crops is estimated at 28.84 million hectares, a slight decrease from 29.09 million hectares the year before. Horticulture is not just an economic contributor; it is a powerful driver of inclusive growth, offering extensive opportunities for sustainable development and socio-economic upliftment across the country. By enabling small and marginal farmers to shift toward high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and floriculture, the sector supports increased income, rural employment generation, and greater participation of women in the agrivalue chain. Additionally, the horticulture sector contributes significantly to nutritional security and fuels growth in allied industries, including food processing and exports. With its transformative potential, horticulture stands as a cornerstone of rural development and a vital pillar in India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. In this context, the upcoming congress aims to address key issues, set strategic priorities, and redefine the role of the horticultural sector in fostering inclusive growth. Nineteen major thematic areas have been identified for deliberation, each focusing on critical topics vital to unlocking the full potential of horticulture for national development.


Objectives of the Conference - To set priorities in different horticultural crops, to identify opportunities for the evolution of new-age technologies to facilitate sustainable horticultural production, and to design resilient crop varieties to ensure inclusive growth and contribute significantly to making India a Developed nation by 2047.