Key Points
New Delhi: Indian farmers are rapidly adopting the cultivation of exotic and premium fruits like avocados, blueberries, dragon fruit, and kiwis, fuelled by their growing preference in the domestic market and burgeoning exports...
"Over the last five years, farmers and entrepreneurs have realized the potential for exotic fruits and new varieties for both domestic and international markets," said Purnima Khandelwal, chief executive of InI Farms, a large exporter of horticulture products...
Recognising the market potential, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has identified ten globally popular exotic fruit crops of commercial importance - avocado, blueberry, dragon fruit, figs, kiwi, mangosteen, persimmon, passion fruits, rambutans and strawberries, and directed state horticulture departments to expand the area under cultivation of these crops...
Producers and marketers for exotic fruits in India value the domestic market at an estimated3,000 crores with core demand emerging from the top four metros, state capitals and tourist spots...
"(With such varied agro-climatic conditions) Northeast is growing kiwi, Himachal Pradesh is growing new varieties of apple, Nashik is growing exotic grapes, Solapur is growing melons, Madhya Pradesh is growing berries, and Andhra Pradesh is growing avocado," Khandelwal said.. Lucrative export market..
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