Expect lower arecanut output in 2020-21

Arecanut production is projected to fall by 1,32,000 tonnes, while mango growers could expect a jump of 8,59,000 tonnes in the harvest of the 'king of fruits', according to the first advance estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry on Monday.

Arecanut production is pegged at 12,20,000 tonnes for 2020-21 as against 13,52,000 tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year.

Mango growers are expected to harvest 2,11,24,000 tonnes of the fruit in the 2020-21 season as against the 2,02,65,000 tonnes achieved in 2019-20.

Overall, the total production of horticulture crops is estimated to increase to 326.57 million tonnes in 2020-21 as against the320.76 million tonnes achieved the previous season.

Among key vegetables, production of two main kitchen staples – potato and onion – is estimated higher from over the last year. In the case of tomato, the production is pegged slightly lower to 20.14 million tonne this year from 21.17 million tonne last year.

Onion production is expected to increase to 26.29 million tonnes this year from 26.09 million tonne last year, while that of potato output is likely to increase to 53.11 million tonnes from 48.56 million tonnes last year.

Production of overall vegetables in the country is pegged higher at 193.60 million tonnes in the 2020-21 from 188.90 million tonnes in the last year.

Honey production is estimated to remain flat at 1,20,000 tonne this year, whereas output of spices is estimated to be slightly lower at 10.24 million tonne this year.