India must shift horticulture focus from output volume to value creation

India's horticulture sector needs to reorient its growth strategy, moving beyond a volume-centric approach to emphasise value creation and retention. Current metrics that gauge success primarily through production tonnage mask the sector's true potential.

Industry analysts argue that measuring horticulture performance should centre on the value retained and equitably distributed across the entire value chain—from farmers to distributors to consumers. This shift would better reflect the sector's economic contribution and sustainability.

Adopting value-focused metrics could strengthen farmer incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance India's competitive position in global horticulture markets.