TheNews21 Policy Desk | Edited by Vivek Bhavsar
Mumbai: India’s agriculture is no longer being viewed through the narrow lens of food production. A new narrative is emerging, one that places value, markets and income at the centre of policy thinking. The latest report by FICCI in collaboration with Grant Thornton Bharat attempts to capture this shift in a structured and ambitious manner. Titled “Vision 2030: Focusing on High-Value Horticulture for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the report lays out a roadmap that seeks to reposition India’s agriculture from volume-driven output to value-led growth.
At the heart of this vision is horticulture. Over the past decade, this segment has quietly transformed the structure of Indian agriculture. Today, horticulture contributes nearly one-third of the agricultural Gross Value Added and has already surpassed food grains in total production. Output has risen steadily from around 281 million tonnes in 2013–14 to nearly 368 million tonnes in 2024–25, reflecting both changing farmer preferences and evolving consumer demand .
The report makes a clear argument. The future of Indian agriculture lies not in producing more wheat or rice, but in growing fruits, vegetables, plantation crops and other high-value produce that can deliver better returns per acre. This shift, it argues, is already visible on the ground. Farmers are gradually moving towards crops that are more aligned with markets, offer quicker cash cycles and provide higher income potential.
This transition is being driven not just by farmers, but also by changing consumption patterns. Rising incomes, urbanisation and increasing awareness of nutrition have led to a steady rise in demand for fresh and processed horticulture products. At the same time, global markets are opening up for Indian produce, particularly in segments where quality, traceability and value addition matter more than sheer volume.
Recognising this, the report outlines a comprehensive strategy to transform India into a global horticulture powerhouse. The emphasis is on building an integrated ecosystem that connects production, processing and exports in a seamless value chain. It calls for a shift from fragmented, scheme-based interventions to a mission-mode approach that aligns policy, investment and execution.
A key component of this vision is the focus on technology. The report highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence, precision farming, IoT-based monitoring systems and digital traceability tools in improving productivity and ensuring quality consistency. The government’s push towards platforms like Bharat VISTAAR, along with increased adoption of drones and data-driven advisory systems, reflects an attempt to modernise Indian agriculture and make it globally competitive.
Equally significant is the emphasis on infrastructure. Over the years, India has made notable progress in building post-harvest and marketing systems. More than 55,000 post-harvest management facilities, including cold storages, packhouses and processing units, have been established, along with over 11,000 marketing infrastructures across the country . These investments are intended to reduce losses, improve quality and enable farmers to access better markets.
The policy direction is also becoming clearer. The Union Budget 2026–27 has reinforced the importance of high-value agriculture, with targeted allocations for crops such as coconut, cocoa and cashew, and a broader push towards processing-led value creation. Increased spending on food processing, coupled with incentives for private sector participation, signals a shift in focus from primary production to value addition.
The report structures this transformation into three distinct phases. The first phase focuses on strengthening the fundamentals, improving planting material, enhancing productivity and developing clusters. The second phase aims to scale up processing, reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. The final phase looks at premiumisation, positioning India as a reliable global supplier of high-quality horticulture products through branding, traceability and export integration.
If implemented effectively, this roadmap has the potential to reshape rural India. High-value horticulture offers not just better incomes, but also more diversified and resilient livelihoods. It creates opportunities across the value chain, from farming and logistics to processing and exports, thereby generating employment and strengthening rural economies.
The vision presented in the report is ambitious, but it is also grounded in data and global experience. It recognises that India has the natural advantage of diverse agro-climatic conditions, a large smallholder base and an expanding domestic market. What it seeks to do is to convert these strengths into a coherent strategy that delivers both economic and social outcomes.
At a broader level, the report reflects a deeper shift in policy thinking. Agriculture is no longer being treated as a sector that needs support, but as an engine of growth that can drive income generation, exports and rural development. The focus is moving from ensuring production to ensuring profitability.
The promise, therefore, is clear. A technology-enabled, market-linked horticulture ecosystem that enhances farmer incomes, strengthens value chains and positions India as a global leader in high-value agriculture.
Whether this promise translates into reality is a question that will depend not just on policy intent, but on how effectively it is implemented on the ground. That is where the next part of this series will turn its attention.
