Odisha Horticulture at a Glance

Potential for Horticulture :

The agro-climatic diversity in the state with its high rain fall distributed over a four month monsoon and a reasonably moderate winter allows for growing a variety of Horticultural crops. The normal rainfall received from June to September from South-West monsoon is immensely suitable for growing perennial fruit crops like mango, litchi, guava, oranges and limes : annual fruit crops like banana, pineapple and papaya, spices like ginger, turmeric and chilly, a variety of root and tubers and a whole range of vegetables. The low temperature existing in hilly areas at higher altitude offer ideal conditions for growing off-season vegetables. The state thus enjoys a natural comparative advantage for Horticulture with possibilities for growing a diversified basket of fruits, vegetables, spices, tuber crops and flowers whose potential has not been fully exploited. Perennial Horticulture crops also help the farmer to secure against unforeseen droughts. Preferably existing high land of our state is mostly suitable for cultivation of perennial fruit crops. Likewise large tract of soils in the state having light textured red soils, with low water holding capacity, low fertility are quite conducive for growing horticultural tree crops e.g. mango & cashew.