Rajkot: Gujarat has established itself as India’s largest producer of okra, with the Saurashtra–Kutch belt emerging as a key driver of horticultural expansion, officials said on Monday. The announcement comes ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) 2026, scheduled to be held in Rajkot, which will showcase regional agricultural progress and investment opportunities.
Gujarat Tops National Okra Production
According to data from the State Director of Horticulture, Gujarat secured the number one position nationally in 2023–24 in terms of both area under okra cultivation and total output. The crop was cultivated over 93,955 hectares across the state, yielding 11.68 lakh tonnes.
The Saurashtra–Kutch region contributed significantly, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of the cultivated area and 13 per cent of total okra production, highlighting its rising prominence in the state’s horticultural landscape.
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Saurashtra–Kutch Region Strengthens Role in Horticulture
In 2024–25, okra cultivation in the Saurashtra–Kutch belt expanded further across 12 districts, covering approximately 14,000 hectares and producing nearly 1.5 lakh tonnes. This reinforced the region’s growing role in Gujarat’s horticulture sector and its contribution to the state’s overall agricultural output.
Gujarat’s Share in National Vegetable Production
During 2024–25, Gujarat accounted for 7.66 per cent of India’s total vegetable production. Horticultural cultivation in Saurashtra–Kutch covered 2.32 lakh hectares, generating 47.91 lakh metric tonnes. The region recorded a productivity of 20.60 metric tonnes per hectare, benefiting from improved farming techniques, enhanced agri-infrastructure, and greater efficiency among cultivators.
Shift Towards High-Value Horticultural Crops
Horticulture has emerged as a major contributor to Gujarat’s agricultural growth, with many farmers transitioning from traditional crops to high-value horticultural produce that provides better yields and higher income per hectare. Government initiatives have encouraged this shift, with horticultural crops now covering nearly one-fifth of the state’s total agricultural land.
Government Support and Schemes
The Department of Horticulture has implemented a range of state-level incentive programmes, complemented by Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and the National Horticulture Mission (NHM). Key focus areas of these schemes include:
- Cluster-based horticultural development
- Protected cultivation and polyhouses
- Post-harvest management and cold-chain infrastructure
- Availability of quality planting material
- Farmer capacity building and training
Under MIDH, farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) receive subsidies for hi-tech horticulture practices, packhouses, grading and packing facilities, demonstrations, market connectivity, and other modern farming interventions.
VGRC 2026 to Showcase Regional Progress
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC 2026), along with the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE), will be held in Rajkot in January 2026. The event aims to highlight regional achievements, promote balanced development, and attract fresh investment into key sectors driving growth in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Officials noted, “VGRC 2026 is expected to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, global experts, innovators, and other stakeholders. Through focused sectoral discussions, exhibitions, and collaborative platforms, the conference will showcase how Saurashtra and Kutch are well positioned to spearhead the next phase of agricultural innovation and sustainable development.”
Future Prospects
With strong government support, technological adoption, and increasing farmer participation, Gujarat’s horticulture sector, particularly in Saurashtra and Kutch, is poised to continue its growth trajectory. The state’s leadership in okra production and other high-value crops signals a robust future for India’s agricultural and horticultural innovation landscape.
