Page 7 - NIS English 01-15 October, 2025

30% Growth
Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Boosts India’s
Horticulture
Capacity Tripled in 11 years Economy

Adding another milestone to its journey towards green energy, India If agriculture is the backbone
has achieved a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 250 gigawatts. of the Indian economy,
This is an increase of about three times in the last 11 years in then horticulture is one of
this sector. Notably, under the Paris Agreement, India had set a the most vital and integral
target to meet 50% of its total installed energy capacity from parts of the agricultural
non- fossil fuel sources by 2030. However, the country achieved sector. Horticulture
this target five years ahead of schedule, in July this year. Highlighting promotes better nutrition,
India’s commitment to green energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in encourages diversification
his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, said: “Just as we are in agriculture and also
sensitive towards the world, we are equally responsible towards nature.” provides alternative rural
employment opportunities.
Energy obtained from Programs like the Mission
non-fossil sources for Integrated Development
of Horticulture (MIDH)
Solar energy 123.13 GW have transformed this sector
Wind energy 52.68 GW significantly over the past
Hydropower 55.22 GW decade. As a result, the sector
Bioenergy 11.60 GW has recorded a 30% growth
in the last ten years. In 2013–
Nuclear energy 8.78 GW 14, horticulture production
stood at 280.70 million
tonnes, whereas by August
2025 (in the year 2024–25),
it has increased to 367.72
At 2% India Records Lowest Jobless Rate in G-20 million tonnes. This includes
114.51 million tonnes of
Along with rapid economic
growth in India, schemes like fruits, 219.67 million tonnes
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar of vegetables, and 33.54
Yojana, PM Mudra, Standup, Unemploy- million tonnes from other
Startup India, Digital India, ment rate of horticultural crops.
PM Vishwakarma, PLI, and some G-20 6 6 7
PM SVANidhi have created countries 5
Boost in Fruit &
employment on a large scale. 4 Vegetable Output
The result of increasing 3 3
employment opportunities is that 2 Fruit production
the unemployment rate in India (increase of about 30%)
has come down to 2%. This is
the lowest among all the G-20 India Canada Brazil France Italy 2014-15 866
countries. During a programme Australia Germany Argentina
organised in New Delhi, Union (*Note-Figures in percentage) 2023-24 1,129.7
Labour and Employment Minister Service Platform, he said that with about 52 lakh Vegetable production
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya gave this registered employers, 5.79 crore job seekers, and (increase of about 22%)
information while referring to more than 7.22 crore vacancies, this platform is
the ‘Future of Jobs Report-2025’ developing as a one-stop solution for employment- 2014-15 1,694.7
of the World Economic Forum. related services along with providing job listings.
Referring to the National Career More than 44 lakh active vacancies on the portal.n 2023-24 2,072
(Note: Figures in lakh metric tons.)

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