2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 6

author(s)
Sangita Mehta, Govind Kumar, Praveen Kumar and Birendra Prasad

abstract
Fruit, being a rich source of carbohydrate, protein, minerals, vitamins etc., are considered very much essential for proper growth and protection of human body from different diseases and disorders. Almost all types of fruit can be grown in one or the other parts of the country. China is the largest producer of fruits followed by India which now accounts for about 10 percent of world production. In India, horticultural crops occupy about 6.7 percent of gross area, contribute about 18 percent of gross value of agricultural output and 52 percent of total export earning in agriculture (Shukla, et al., 2004). However, due to explosion of population and wastage of the harvested produce, the per capita availability of fruits (40 gm against the recommended 120 gm per day) is far below the required level. Hence, it is urgently necessary to increase the availability of fruits by increasing the area and the productivity.