Export of Processed Fruits and Vegetables in India with Special Reference to Karnataka

Agro-processing can be defined as set of techno-economic activities carried out for conservation and handling of agricultural produce and to make it usable as food, feed, fibre, fuel or industrial raw material. Presently India is focusing mainly on agro-processing, as the second 'Green Revolution' will be centered on the concept of 'farm to plate'. The horticulture mission targets to increase the production of fruits and vegetables to 260 MT from the current 140 MT through several interventions. Karnataka ranks 5^th in India, in terms of total area under horticulture and 8th in terms of total horticultural production according for 5.6 per cent of national production. It is the largest producer of coffee and cocoa in the country and second largest in production of flowers and grapes. It is also the third largest producer of plantation crops in India accounting for 11.6 per cent of the national production and fourth largest producer of spices, accounting for 8.6 per cent of the national production 5th largest producer of fruits in the country (Krishnadas, 2010). It is also the fifth largest producer of fruit accounting for 7.2 per cent of national production. In terms of vegetables, it is the 8th largest producer in the country accounting for 4 per cent of the total produce. International Flower Auction Bangalore Ltd. (IFAB) - home to the first and largest international flower auction company in Asia.