Chhattisgarh: Horticulture

Chhattisgarh has frequently been named as the Rice Bowl of Central India, with the major crop being Paddy. Apart from the paddy crop, the cereals like kodo – kutki, maize & other small millets, oilseeds like Soybean, Groundnut, Sunflower and Niger and pulses like kulthi and tur are also grown. Hitherto the productivity is not very lofty. This carried a fresh thrust on the region of Horticulture, as the county is also apposite for growing Banana, Guava, Mango and other fruits and various vegetables. There is a need to lay greater thrust in enhancing the irrigation resources of Chhattisgarh and in endorsing horticulture in rigorous manner in Chhattisgarh.

Fruit Crops

The foremost fruit crops grown in the Chhattisgarh region are Guava, Mango, Lime, Cashewnut, Cheku, Litchi, etc, spaced out from these key fruit crops minor fruits like Bael, Sitafal, Anola, Ber etc., are also developed both as wild and cultivated crop. The entire area of fruit crops in Chhattisgarh is 1,851,86.13 Ha. alongwith the fabrication of 15,691,80.54 MT in 2011-12. Agro climatically, Mango can be developed in the entire part of Chhattisgarh productively whereas the northern hilly region of Jashpur and Sarguja district is apt for Litchi production. Cashew nut can be developed healthy in plateau region of the Raigarh and Bastar district.

Vegetables

Frequently all vegetable crops like Cucurbits, Solaneious crops, Beans, Cauliflower, Cabbage etc., are grown very well in Chhattisgarh.  The entire area of vegetable crops in Chhattisgarh was recorded 3,515,49.52 Ha. in 2011-2012 with the production of 45,826,29.64 MT.

Spices

Ginger, Chili, Garlic, Coriander, Methi and Turmeric are the main spices grown in Chhattisgarh. The entire area of spices documented in 2011-12 was 826,37.76 Ha. alongwith the production of 5,413,88.84 MT.

Flowers

Area under flower development is insignificant in Chhattisgarh. With the creation of new state the requirement of flowers is growing gradually, to meet up the rising demand of flowers it is indispensable to endorse commercial floriculture for the farmers. The major flowers like Tuberose, Marrygold, Gladiolus, Gaillardia, Roses, Orchids, Chrysanthemum etc., can be grown very well. The current area under floriculture in Chhattisgarh is 8413 Ha. alongwith the production of 32,847.40 MT. in 2011-12.

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

The medicinal crops developed in Chhattisgarh are Serpagandha, Ashwagandha, Satawar, Aonla, Tikhur, Butch, etc. Some of the aromatic crops like Pamarosa, Lemongrass, Jamarosa, E.citridora, Patchauli are encouraged by the department for commercial cultivation. The present area of medicinal and aromatic crops in Chhattisgarh is 12,12.93 Ha. alongwith the production of 91,411.63 MT in 2011-12.