A Study of Horticulture Sector of North East Region with special reference to Assam

Horticulture, which has gained commercial tone in the recent years, is an important component of Agriculture, having very significant share in the economy of the country. India has the advantage of diverse agro-climatic conditions which enables it to produce a wide range of horticultural crops round the year. The horticulture crops also provide better alternative for diversification of Indian agriculture in view of higher return. It plays an important role in country's nutritional security as well, including poverty alleviation and employment generation. The horticultural scenario of the country has been changing fast, both in terms of production and productivity. Assam has unique agro-climatic condition, which permits growing of wide range of horticultural crops and as such it is traditionally horticultural state with plantations and gardens, which accommodates various fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, nut crops, tuber crops and also plantation crops. Among fruit crops, Assam has oranges and other citrus fruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples and mangoes. In spite of having all these inherent potentiality, commercialization of horticulture sector in Assam is not yet getting its momentum.