Abstract— Arunachal Pradesh, endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions and rich biodiversity, possesses considerable potential for the cultivation of a wide range of horticultural crops, including fruits, spices, vegetables, ornamental and aromatic plants, medicinal plants, and plantation crops. Among these, three crops—orange, large cardamom, and apple—are extensively cultivated and together account for nearly 59 percent of the total area under horticultural crops in the state. Despite this significance, the production of these crops has shown a consistent decline over the past decade due to various constraining factors, including climate change. The present study examines the status of orange, large cardamom, and apple in Arunachal Pradesh and compares the state’s performance with other major producing states in India in terms of growth, productivity, and share in total national production. In addition, district-wise growth trends in area and production within Arunachal Pradesh are analyzed to capture intra-state variations. The study is based on secondary data collected from sources such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Directorate of Horticulture, and published research articles. The analysis covers the period from 2013–14 to 2023–24, while district-level analysis is limited to 2018–19 to 2023–24, subject to data availability. The results reveal that the share of Arunachal Pradesh in the total area and production of all three crops declined considerably during the study period. The state recorded the highest negative growth in both area and production of these crops compared to other major producing states in the country. Moreover, the productivity of orange, large cardamom, and apple in Arunachal Pradesh was found to be among the lowest at the national level. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted, crop-specific, and region-specific policy interventions to revitalize the horticultural sector in the state.
Alipso Pul (Sat,) studied this question.