5cocsso Paper Introduction

“Problems in Horticulture Statistics” Section-1

Introduction Horticulture is an important segment of Agriculture sector which contributes about one-fifth share in the economy of Agriculture and allied sectors. It is the fastest growing sector within agriculture thanks to the economic prosperity that has provoked marked changes in the life styles and the consumption habits. There has been a perceptible change in the consumption pattern characterized by declining share of food grains and the increasing share of non-food grain items in the consumption baskets particularly fruits and vegetables. Rapidly growing demand for horticulture commodities and products especially burgeoning market for processed fruits and vegetables as well as booming floriculture market is an evidence of the phenomenon that is expected to accelerate horticulture growth in the country. Consequently, horticulture is to set to assume a greater role and importance within the agriculture sector and eventually in the national economy. In addition, there are tremendous opportunities to augment exports of horticulture commodities and products especially fruits and vegetables-both raw and processed- by way of strengthening existing markets as well as exploring fresh markets. Due to enormous potential of horticulture- both on domestic as well as international front- as evident from burgeoning demand of horticulture commodities and products, it could become a key driver in stimulating agricultural growth that has been rather sluggish in the recent past. Potential advantages of horticultural farming in terms of yielding higher farm output and remunerative returns, is likely to encourage horticulture farming on a larger scale. Numerous policy and development initiatives including massive financial and technical support available in the horticulture sector is likely to provide a greater impetus to the process of horticultural development in the country Higher horticulture growth within the crop husbandry is not only expected to push agricultural growth further but it is also expected to make substantial contribution in the national economy by unleashing substantial value addition through storage, processing, transportation and marketing of horticulture commodities and products. Horticulture sector commands a large employment potential by way of supporting a series of direct and indirect activities related to V- 1

area development, nurseries, cultivation and farming, crop maintenance, production, post -harvest management, trading, storage, processing, transportation, marketing and distribution of horticulture commodities and products. Growth in horticulture sector is expected to provide fillip to employment. However, there is a serious problem concerning reliability of horticulture data which is one of the most critical requirements to facilitate systematic policy analysis and planning exercise. Not only is there a lack of reliable and authentic base-line data but inadequate and incomplete the horticulture data is another serious constraint. The available data suffers with serious limitations due to methodological and operational problems. Multiple agencies are involved in producing horticulture data that often varies. Moreover, there are temporal variations in the data and the data from the same agencies differ too. Absence of proper validation mechanism is a serious constraint to restrict the possibility of checking inter-temporal or inter-agency inconsistencies which obviously aggravates the problem. Consequently, it becomes very difficult to make correct assessment of horticulture growth, determining actual demand for horticulture commodities and products or effectively monitoring and evaluating the progress of implementation or achievements of policy objectives. Lack of authentic data restricts scope to identify real opportunities for undertaking much needed crop diversification programmes, besides exacerbating problems in making optimum allocation and use of resources to accomplish systematic progress and development of horticulture sector. It is not just the basic data like area, production or productivity but the whole gamut of related data like storages, market arrivals, prices, exports and so on that is required to be collected and compiled to develop integrated data base which has become extremely importan t in the present era of globalization and integration of markets. It is difficult to ignore the consequences of shortages or hike in prices that can precipitate serious crisis both on economic and political front. Availability of proper data can indeed help in issuing advance warning about impending crisis to facilitate taking advance action. Authentic data is also required to conduct comprehensive analytical studies to understand and assess the potential demand in foreign markets, commodity preferences, quality parameters, domestic production capacity vis-à-vis the internal demand, incentives to promote horticulture exports etc. Modern development matrix imbibes complex inter-relationship among different sectors and sub-sectors which includes horticulture

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as an important segment of agriculture sector which in turn is one of major components of national economy along with manufacturing and services sectors. Therefore, the quality of relevant data inputs is extremely important in the context of realistic and effective policy planning process. It is rather ironical that despite unambiguous importance of horticulture data that has been recognized and articulated repeatedly in different forums, there has been no systematic policy or conscious efforts to address the underlying issues to improve the reliability and quality of horticulture data. Failure to translate concern into commitment and lack of concrete action are the main reasons for perpetuating problems on the data front. Therefore, it is extremely important to seriously consider various issues and problems confronting horticulture data sector through appropriate policy intervention and support during the XI Plan so as to establish reliable horticulture data base without more delay. It will also be important to simultaneously consider other relevant issues such as the premium role and importance of data professionals which needs to be underlined and strengthened to ensure their greater involvement in the hierarchy that is considered crucial to motivate them to accomplish the task of developing reliable horticulture data base. It will be necessary to assign high priority to reverse the process of neglect that has undermined the development of horticulture data base so far. In addition to envisaging critical policy support for data development activities at par with other development activities, adequate administrative, technical and financial support, will be most crucial and inevitable to drive the process of data development. Unless this is consciously enfo rced, it will be difficult to expect improvements in the quality and reliability of horticulture data. That would mean the present smoke-screen will not only continue to blur the view of actual horticulture scenario, but it might cause misdirection of resources to hamper realization of full potential or opportunities available in the horticulture sector. Failure to act sooner can prove disastrous especially because there are competing priorities and the resources have to be allocated accordingly for development of other sectors of the economy. In other words, there is an urgent need to initiate data reforms with the objective of developing comprehensive horticulture data base, more appropriately called Horticulture Information System (HIS).

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Section-2

Importance of Horticulture Data Base It is evident that data is one of the most critical requirements in the modern information age to allow integrated planning and efficient management of resources. Such is the scale of planning that no meaningful analysis or intellectual exercise is possible without availability of proper data. Data is extremely useful to conduct observation and analysis of the situation to gain better knowledge and understanding for taking adequate measures to promote systematic horticulture development in the country. Indeed, the effectiveness of planning is directly dependent on how comprehensive and reliable is the data being pivotal in the entire chain of planning, development and management process. Horticulture data is essential for estimating the growth, for carrying out analysis to assess the demand and supply trend, to identify problems and constraints, to evolve adaptive policies and explore growth prospects. Such data can act as security against misdirection or misplacement of policy objectives and priorities. In other words, the establishment of comprehensive horticulture database is a crucial requirement that would go a long way in ensuring effective monitoring of the development policies to justify huge investment being made to promote horticulture production besides undertaking perspective planning to facilitate systematic development of horticulture sector in the country. Availability of data will also lend scope to devise appropriate strategies for exploiting huge export potential available in this sector. Availability of reliable data is one of the most critical requirements for efficient policy planning and analysis purposes, for proper development and management of resources and for monitoring and evaluating the impact of various development schemes such as National Horticulture Mission (NHM) etc. With the fast changing food habits and the obvious shift towards increasing consumption and expenditure on fruits and vegetables- both raw and on processed products, the entire chain of horticulture plantation, production, storage, distribution and marketing has to be planned accordingly to meet the rapidly growing requirements. Availability of relevant data is crucial to determine the status of situation and to suggest ways to ensure availability of sufficient quantities of horticulture commodities and products in the market at affordable prices. Similarly, detailed data is required, district/cluster/component wise, to monitor and evaluate the impact of various horticulture development schemes V- 4

such as NHM and other government sponsored schemes. In fact, due to strong linkage between different components and activities in the process of horticulture development, it may be necessary to develop integrated horticulture data base incorporating a variety of data or information on area, production and productivity (crop/season-wise), area augmentation under crop diversification plan, productivity profile or mapping, market prices and arrivals, storage capacities and stocks, extent of institutional support including credit and transportation facilities, demand-supply projections etc., in order to facilitate integrated planning for promotion of horticulture production in the country. Globalization and integration of markets has also impose d a greater demand for accurate, reliable, timely and credible horticulture data to facilitate business operations. The importance of data is evident from the ever increasing information needs by various agencies. In fact, the dynamics of present market now demands current and on-line information on availability and prices of horticulture commodities and products which has to be catered to regulate demand-supply chain of horticulture commodities and products in the market and control prices. Need to create appropriate mechanism to meet rapidly growing information needs, has to be addressed sooner than later to realize the underlying objective of information that seeks not only to ensure proper supplies and control prices of the horticulture commodities but also to relay early warning signals about impending crisis. Availability of such data and analysis is important to take timely action in the context of handling crisis management. Availability of reliable data is crucial in facilitating integrated planning to ensure that there is no unwarranted conflict between different components of horticulture development and the entire development process is well coordinated.

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Section-3

Present Status of Horticulture Data Horticulture data mainly comprises of area and production data on various horticultural crops such as Fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts and flowers. National Horticulture Board (NHB) is the main source of such data as collected from State Horticulture departments. Similar data is also collected under a scheme called Crop Estimation Survey for Fruits and Vegetables, which is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, for selected crops. This scheme is in operation in some States. Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) in the Ministry of Agriculture also collects such data for selected crops. Further, some data such as area covered under different crops (operational holdings) is also available through Agriculture Census at 5 years interval. NHB compiles and publishes horticulture data such as area, production, production, productivity, prices etc. The data is collected from the State Horticulture departments which follow some method based on previous data, expert observations and ground assessment to arrive at the basic data. However, this data is further checked by NHB from the point of view of consistency and carrying out necessary revision. The main advantage of NHB data is that it is relatively more comprehensive and updated as compared to data available from other sources, in addition to being available consistently for almost all the States over the years. As such, NHB is generally used so far for various purposes including GDP estimates. Data is also collected under Crop Estimation Survey of Fruits & Vegetables (CES -F&V)-a component of Improvement of Agricultural Statistics Scheme. However, the scheme is implemented in 11 States only and the number of crops - fruits and vegetables covered within the purview of scheme is also limited. Thus, the coverage is incomplete both in terms of States an d the crops. Also, the data is generally outdated which poses problems in consolidating and compiling updated data that is required, for example, for the purpose of GDP estimates. In regard to methodology prescribed under CESF&V, it is a based on multi stage stratified sampling techniques designed to produce objective data. However, the procedure is rather cumbersome in actual operation and is likely to have fair chances of non-sampling as well as sampling errors. The National Statistical Commission (NSC) also recommended that the methodology adopted under CES-F&V should be reviewed and alternative methodology for estimating production of horticulture crops should be developed taking into account information flowing from other sources. In other V- 6

words, notwithstanding the objectivity of the procedure laid down in case of CES -F&V, there are serious problems in this case too, and it does not serve the purpose in its present form. Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) releases estimates of area, production and yield in respect of principal crops and selected important horticulture crops. For area estimation, a prescribed method based on categorization of States is used which includes use of land records maintained by revenue agencies and the area statistics built up on the basis of sample surveys as envisaged under the scheme called Establishment of an Agency for Reporting of Agricultural Statistics (EARAS). The yield rate is another important component to arrive at production estimates. The yield estimates are obtained through analysis of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) conducted under scientifically designed General Crop Estimation Surveys (GCES). As mentioned earlier, NHB data is being generally used due to its relative advantages over the corresponding data available from other sources, including for the purposes of GDP estimates. However, there is an urgent need to review NHB data with a view to make necessary corrections for establishing proper authenticity. In regard to National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and other centrally sponsored schemes, data on physical development as well as financial data in terms of funds allocated and released, classified according to different components, are also provided by the State implementing departments. Howeve r, there is a serious problem in terms of non-availability of base-line data at district/cluster level for monitoring the progress of implementation of the scheme and evaluating its impact which is essential to justify huge investment being made under NHM. In addition, a lot of other ancillary data such as prices, market arrivals, cold storage stocks of horticulture commodities etc. are collected by different agencies. But there again, the problem of variations exists which is often unexplained and continues to haunt the horticulture planners to take a considered and wholesome view of the actual situation. There is also a serious constraint in horticulture data due to non-availability of authentic district-wise data, which is required for proper planning including taking appropriate investment decisions in view of major concentration of horticulture crops in particular production belts. It is noticed that the cropping pattern is generally skewed with crops grown in a cluster of districts rather than spread over the entire State(s). Availability of district level data is, therefore, V- 7

very important in the context of crop diversification planning. Similarly, no base -line data is available though it is the basic requirement for assessing the growth pattern, for monitoring the progress of implementation and evaluating the impact of schemes such as NHM. Notwithstanding multiple agencies engaged in collection of horticulture data, incurring huge cost and time, the horticulture data is still inadequate and incomplete and it is also difficult to assess the extent of incompleteness due to absence of any sound methodology to estimate production in respect of non -response cases or assess the contribution through other significant components of horticulture production such as production in the kitchen gardens, on common (property resource) land, Roadside plantations and in nurseries, the data on which is not being captured systematically. Consequently, adhoc methods are being used to arrive at area and production estimates. Variations, revisions and time -lag in the data are serious constraints which not only pose problems in ascertaining the actual position but it also affects the credibility of horticulture data causing suspicion and distrust among users. It is necessary to recognize that it has become very relevant in the modern context, to provide data, reliable data, in time, and in the form it is required by the users. The problem is not peculiar to the basic horticulture data on area, production and productivity of various horticultural crops, but prices, market arrivals and the cold storage data too is not an exception. Not only there are variations in the data obtained from different agencies but large variations are noticed in data released by the same agency over a period of time. It appears that neither the coverage is uniform nor the data is adequate to present complete picture of the Horticulture sector. The problem is compounded due to absence of any effective validation mechanism or method that could establish reliability factor of individual data sets. Consequently, ad-hoc methods may have been adopted to check consistency of data. In this type of scenario, it is extremely difficult to make correct assessment of actual growth in the horticulture sector which is likely to cause improper reflection of horticulture contribution in the national accounts. Apart from impinging data reliability factor, the inadequate horticulture data is likely to create problem in attempting evaluation of the integrated performan ce of the horticulture sector which has become relevant due to inherent linkages between activities relating to

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horticulture production and the availability of horticulture produce in the market for consumption.

Section-4

Reliability of data Reliability of data is one of the most crucial requirements. In the case of horticulture data, the problem is fairly acute owing to significant variations observed in the data provided by different agencies. Even temporal inconsistencies exist in the data obtained from the same source due to periodic revision of data, which though may not be completely unavoidable on account of well known factors but the problem actually arises in the event of abnormal fluctuations the incidence of which is no so uncommon. In the absence of appropriate validation mechanism in place, it is often difficult to reconcile variation or the inconsistencies in data. As regards horticulture data regarding area, production and productivity, NHB data is relatively more comprehensive by way of covering data for most of the States, and is generally used for the purpose of GDP estimates etc. However, in the absence of appropriate validation mechanism, as mentioned earlier, it is often difficult to either validate such data or determine its reliability as is the case in respect of similar data produced by other agencies. The problem is often compounded for want of systematic or sound methodology to estimate the production in respect of non -response cases or assess the contribution due to other significant components of horticulture data such as production of horticulture crops grown in kitchen gardens, on common (property resource) land, Roadside plantations and in nurseries. Consequently, the data is either incomplete, outdated and ad-hoc methods are used to estimate data. Thus, the present data position is inadequate which limits scope to make correct assessment of actual growth in the horticulture sector. This is likely to cause improper reflection of horticulture contribution in the national accounts. Variations in data are not only prominent in respect of basic horticulture data such as area, production and productivity of various horticultural crops, but even the data on prices, market arrivals and the cold storage stocks of horticulture commodities is not an exception. It appears that neither the coverage is uniform nor the data is adequate to present complete picture of the Horticulture sector. V- 9

Apart from impinging data reliability factor, this creates problem in attempting evaluation of the integrated performance of the horticulture sector which has become relevant due to inherent linkages between activities relating to horticulture production and the availability of horticulture produce in the market for consumption. There are several other problems relating to recording of area under mixed crops or estimating production in such cases. It is not clear how the data is collected and whether there is any uniform methodology being followed by different States. The National Statistical Commission also expressed concern about the deficiencies in the horticulture data and recommended suitable methodology to be developed to estimate the production of horticulture crops. Further, there is a serious problem with regard to availability of reliable base line data or the district level data which is essential in the wake of given topography of the horticultural crop profile. Such data is required to determine thrust areas and for streamlining investment policies to realize the objectives of sustained horticulture development in the country. In other words, the existing horticulture database is not only inadequate but there is also a problem of scarcity of data often constrained by delays in availability. Not only does it leads to a serious problem in making effective use of data but it adversely affects the reliability of data often causing confusion, distrust and doubt about the quality of various horticulture data.

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Section-5

Constraints for data collection and compilation The constraints for data collection and compilation encountered in the horticulture sector are neither typical nor peculiar because it transcends to the almost entire data sector in the country. Despite data being most critical in the context of modern planning, development and management of resources, this sector has suffered the most due to perpetual neglect. The characteristic of this neglect is the poor data establishment and data culture in the country which is also the primary reason to cause several constraints in data collection and compilation. More often, neither the importance of data is realized nor prestige maintained for the staff responsible for data collection and compilation. Lowest priorities within and the government departments, and often poor support from fellow government departments or outside agencies not only demoralizes them and reduces the scope to function effectively but it also leads to loss in technical ability and kills the initiative to innovate. This typical pathology afflicts almost all the government departments. No wonder, far from catering to higher level expectations in the modern context, the data professionals are finding it hard to even sustain the normal expectations laid out for them. Low data priority syndrome reduces the relevance of role and importance of the statistical staff in the eyes of fellow colleagues and the public at large leading to innumerable problems in getting proper coordination and response from others. The evidence is generally a poor administrative and financial support from the departments. Data collection also suffers because the vacancy rates are usually higher in statistical offices which in a number of cases are just small units within the main government department. For example, there is no proper data set-up in the Horticulture departments, in most of the cases, to support dedicated data collection and compilation activities. Similarly, lack of means including basic resource difficulties, impinges on the efficiency of compilation, scrutiny, analysis or dissemination of data. Obviously, it affects both timeliness and the reliability. Often, the Users’ reaction is disgust and distrust and it is the image of data collection and data management personnel that suffers most rather than the organization which is actually responsible for this poor state of affairs. As long as such a dismal picture will continue, there is little that can be expected in terms of improvement on the data quality and data reliability front.

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Numerous constraints prevail at all levels –administrative, financial, technical and infrastructure, which restrict development of proper horticulture data system. The administrative constraints include lack of suitable authority in the absence of mandatory provision, to collect data that requires willingness and meaningful participation and coordination of others, systematic erosion of role, relevance and prestige of data collection personnel leading to their demoralization and de-motivation. Financial constraints include absence of dedicated or exclusive funding, in most cases, for activities related to data development and management unlike specific allocations made for different activities or components such as rejuvenation, post harvest management, protected cultivation etc. under NHM. This means the present financial support or funding mechanism for development of horticulture data base is merely a kind of secondary support, at best, which is bound to cause the data development activities to suffer the most in situations involving scarcity of funds or whenever the economy measures have to be enforced. Technical constraints include lack of well established methodology, improper or ineffective application of methods and procedures, inadequate training and HRD development, dwindling willingness to innovate due to neglect and loss of prestige. Infrastructural constraints include higher vacancies, resource difficulties involving constraints on acquisition of necessary equipment required for modernization of office. Clearly, it will be difficult to ensure reliability and timeliness in the above circumstances.

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Section-6

Remedial measures Undoubtedly, the quality and reliability of data and its timely availability is most important. It is also important that the data system should be more responsive, effective and flexible to deliver desired information, at the time and in the form it is required, especially in the emerging development scenario,. It must have necessary capacity and capabilities to do so for which necessary policy intervention will be most crucial including providing sufficient financial support for acquisition of necessary equipment and creating basic infrastructure. In order to suggest remedial measures, it will be necessary to understand the complexities of various issues and the underlying problems confronting horticulture data sector as described in previous Sections. (Fig-1). It may be noted that necessary policy support will be crucial besides committing adequate administrative, financial and technical support required to push the process of improvement in the horticulture data. It may be necessary to review the present policy and approach to ensure that the above objectives are fulfilled. In recognition of the crucial role of data in planning as well as in monitoring of the schemes to justify investments in the horticulture, data collection mechanism has to be strengthened and empowered by way of vesting suitable administrative authority to enable proper data collection and getting active cooperation of all concerned with the horticulture development in the country. This is particularly important to reverse the process of neglect of data personnel in the system and to motivate them. Suitable directives may be issued to consider all concerned with the horticulture development as data partners having equal responsibility to cooperate and provide basic data. Adequate financial support is critical to allow effective functioning and accomplishing the task. It is important to earmark dedicated or exclusive funding in order to prevent the possibility of diversion of funds for other purposes. Absence of such a measure can cause cuts in the event of economy measures, which can adversely affect coverage. Already, specific allocations are being made for different activities or components such as rejuvenation, post harvest management, protected cultivation etc. under NHM, implying similar practice can be enforced in the case of ‘horticulture data development’ considering its importance to be treated at par with other development activities. On the technical front, lack of well established methodology, improper or ineffective application of methods and procedures,

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inadequate training and HRD development, are the major areas of concern which have to be addressed systematically. Infrastructural constraints include higher vacancies, resource difficulties involving constraints on acquisition of necessary equipment required for modernization of office. Necessary policy and other support required to address the above issues has been spelt in the Section-8. There is no single prescription to cure the abovementioned ailments of the data sector. Also, it is neither simple to stop the deterioration process in the backdrop of dwindling support to sustain data development activities. Nevertheless, the most immediate priority is to reverse the process of neglect and degeneration of the data sector that has happened so far. It has to be done sooner than later, to realize the objectives of producing reliable, credible and timely data that has assumed a greater significance and become more relevant today than ever before. It would be essential to find ways to recover the shape and shine of the data establishment in the era of modern information age in order to enable the data system to deliver what is required in the context of handling the complexities of modern planning in the emerging dynamic development scenario of which horticulture is not only an integral part but also it imbibes great promise to emerge as a very important sector of the economy. It is indeed a paradox that notwithstanding the crucial role, relevance and importance of data in the modern information age, the data sector should suffer in a country like India which is known to have advanced statistical system and is a leader in the Information Technology.

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Section-7

Future Strategies At present, there are no proper or systematic horticulture data establishments in the country- either at district, State or Central levels, having necessary wherewithal to conduct their business effectively- be it data collection, compilation, analysis, dissemination or coordination with other agencies. Over-dependence on States- the primary source of various horticulture data, in the back of absence of any data validation mechanism in existence has only compounded the problem causing recurrent constraints in producing reliable data. In other words, the efforts to generate horticulture data so far could be described as ad-hoc rather than systematic. As such, it is extremely important to give due attention and top priority in setting up extensive network of proper horticulture data establishments called Horticulture Information Systems (HIS) Units in all the districts and at State level, preferably under the purview of State Horticulture Departments. In addition, there should be an apex Unit at the Centre in the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate, organize, consolidate, analyze data obtained from the States and disseminate the same that could be treated as official data for the benefit of various users and for reference purposes. The proposed network of horticulture data

establishments should have collective role and responsibility to plan, collect, compile and coordinate horticulture data required for various policy planning purposes.

For effective functioning of these establishments, it will be necessary to provide adequate institutional support including setting up modern offices amenable for making extensive use of IT especially as a wide variety of horticulture data will have to be collected and integrated- both horizontally and vertically, at various levels. It has to be recognized that there are a lot of areas and bottlenecks in the current scenario dominated by manual data feeding which is a matter of immediate concern being responsible for causing delays in compilation, consolidation and transmission of data in the hierarchy. This type of situation especially in case of data management is hardly acceptable in the present dynamic circumstances. Therefore, it is important and indeed a matter of priority to embark on a modern data system involving on -line data flow and incorporating effective checks and balances to ensure availability of data, timely and consistently. A virtual dedicated information network is envisaged over the common internet medium because it will not only allow uninterrupted and instantaneous on-line electronic data updating, consolidation, integration and transfer but it will also save a lot of recurring cost on V- 15

postage, printing, photocopying, communication, fax etc. Obviously, necessary equipment will have to be provided in addition to establishing proper networking and designing and developing customized software. Moreover, the existing staff capacity will have to be strengthened by considering adequate training for up gradation of data collection and management skills of existing staff in addition to deploying additional trained staff through contract placements. It is important to note that the effectiveness of the proposed electronic system is dependent on the availability of basic datareliably and timely. However, since data collection is largely based on voluntary response, and there is often a problem of poor data appreciation and the poor data accountability at large, the data collection process is adversely affected for want of proper administrative support. This often leads to non-response and delays which eventually impinge on the reliability and quality of data. It is, therefore, important to ensure that HISs should get distinct identity and authority to discharge their expected functions effectively. Appropriate policies and decisions will have to be taken and consciously implemented in order to create a perception of equity in order to enable the machinery to produce more substantive results. This will include vesting suitable administrative authority to the data sector staff besides providing sufficient financial support to facilitate data collection. While adequate administrative support may be obtained under the Collection of Statistics Act 1953 envisaging suitable amendments, it will be necessary to simultaneously consider dedicated funding exclusively for the purpose of data development activities. It will be important to earmark, say a minimum of 5% of the total budget or funds, to prevent neglect or dilution that has been witnessed so far especially whenever any economy measures have to be enforced. Availability of committed administrative and financial support will be crucial for time -bound development of much needed effective horticulture data in the country to facilitate monitoring of the progress of achievement of objectives and justification of huge investment being made in the horticulture sector in the country. At present, multiple agencies are involved in producing horticulture data which often shows significant variation causing a lot of confusion and doubt about the reliability and quality of data. Moreover, huge costs are involved in collection of data which can be reduced significantly by avoiding duplication or multiplication of such efforts by different agencies. It will be useful to ide ntify and designate Nodal agencies in all the States to coordinate data collection,

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compilation and scrutiny, at district level data, for further consolidation to derive State level data. Considering the role and importance of horticulture departments, revenue departments and DES in the States, it may be useful to establish Data Consortium comprising of experts from these and other research agencies to develop concurrence on the data to produce more authentic data. The Nodal agency may coordinate with the Data Consortium to ensure that the inter-agency and inter-temporal data inconsistency can be avoided. Proper data validation mechanism should be developed in each State to ensure desired data consistency before the data is forwarded, in the prescribed format, by the nodal officer to the central agency as per the prescribed calendar of dates. The utility of horticulture data largely depends on the extent of data disaggregation required for the purpose of planning and policy. For example, district-level data is the minimum requirement in the wake of given crop profile and the prospective crop diversification policies to increase horticulture production and productivity in the country. Similarly, it is necessary to increase the scope and coverage of horticulture data not only by capturing more comprehensive data within the domain in which the data is being collected at present but also covering other significant components of horticulture where there are serious data gaps such as production of horticulture crops grown in kitchen gardens, on common (property resource) land, Roadside plantations and in nurseries. It may be necessary, therefore, to develop suitable data layers through rational data planning and management to meet various data requirements. However, since current horticulture data is highly inadequate and incomplete in the above respect, it is considered important to study the existing data collection system particularly in such States which account for a major chunk of production and contributing important crops, with a view to refining existing methodology or developing alternative methodology to generate reliable horticulture data. The methodology must address issue of capturing data on uncovered components of production and estimate production in respect of non-response cases in order to generate more comprehensive and representative data. Adoption of uniform methodology is considered an important step towards achieving conceptual homogeneity for producing comparable data across the country. This task should be assigned due priority to set right the current problem of incompleteness, incomparability and variations in data brought out by different sources. Adequate funds will have to be provided under the XI Plan to sponsor these studies to the expert agencies.

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To enhance the utility of horticulture data, district level productivity maps/profile should be prepared to identify potential areas for plantation of horticulture crops. Similarly, periodic studies should be conducted to assess supply-demand position to facilitate forward production planning. Notwithstanding above, it is imperative to initially conduct Horticulture Census with the objective of generating reliable baseline horticulture data, particularly at district level, that is currently non-existent. There is also an urgent need to collect authentic district level data classified by different components in case of schemes like National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and other centrally sponsored schemes which are important to evaluate the impact of such schemes especially as all government expenditures have to be justified by outcomes. This exercise has to be undertaken on top priority with a view to filling up serious data gaps in horticulture data that continues to haunt the policy planners in making correct assessment about the current status of horticulture and its growth in the country. The importance of Horticulture Census is also reiterated in the context of rapidly growing demand for reliable horticulture data to attempt effective forward production planning and determining prospective investment policies to exploit huge horticulture potential, besides regulating marketing, transportation and distribution of horticulture commodities and products in the emerging dynamic scenario. It will be appreciated that the current data situation afflicted with lack of requisite basic data cannot be allowed to prevail indefinitely to perpetually affect horticulture planning and development process. It must be recognized that it is neither desirable nor feasible to go for complete enumeration all the time. So while Horticulture Census will be essential to generate comprehensive base-line data, it will be necessary to resort to sample surveys to sustain the process of data collection. In this context, it will be important to consider extension of crop cutting experiments to cover all important horticulture crops. Here again, the present approach may be reviewed or supplemented primarily to involve farmers/panchayat members, on contract basis, for obtaining their cooperation in data collection process which is considered crucial by virtue of their local knowledge and intelligence that has sustained them for ages. It may be reiterated that data collection is a process which is difficult to be accomplished, in the present circumstances, without involvement of all the stakeholders or data partners in the process that includes farmers/panchayats whose role should be duly acknowledged and their active participation elicited in the data collection process.

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In the scheme of horticulture data development, the scope is not limited to primary data on area, production and productivity but it must incorporate other ancillary data such as commodity prices, storage capacities, stocks, market arrivals, employment generationdirect and indirect, cost of cultivation and economy of farming, marketing facilities, institutional support including training or technical support available for the farmers etc., to develop more robust horticulture data system. In fact, it is important to underline the need for developing integrated agriculture database covering other allied sectors of Agriculture viz. principal crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry that will be required to coordinate policies for achieving higher growth in the agriculture sector. Availability of integrated database will be greatly useful to facilitate better research and analysis capabilities. There is no doubt that there is an urgent need to revamp the existing horticulture data system which includes setting up proper institutional set-up in the form of Horticulture Information Systems (HIS) Units as suggested above as well as reviewing the data collection mechanism at grassroots level. It is important not only to strengthen the staff position for collection of horticulture data but the role of Patwari has to be reviewed primarily to either replace it by an alternative agency or reduce his jurisdiction to ensure manageability of work assigned without clashing with other responsibilities. This also highlights the relate d issue of developing computerized land records that can make a crucial contribution in facilitating the work of Patwari besides improving the quality of horticulture data. Periodic exchange of expertise and experience is considered useful to review the need for improvements in the quality of data to develop more robust and responsive data system to meet the emerging data needs. It will be necessary, therefore, to conduct periodic workshops and conferences to accomplish this task. It will be useful to study international data collection methodologies and practices especially in some developed countries and similarly placed countries in the context of planning, development and management of our horticulture data system. This will also help in building greater compatibility and comparability with the international data.

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Complexities of issues and problems confronting Horticulture data sector

Adverse impact on public attitude at large towards data Devaluation of data importance Neglect of data sector

Low data sector priorities Poor status of data professionals in the government hierarchy Ineffective or subservient role of data planners in the decision making

No proper cooperation from other agencies within and outside department Poor data response Problems in data collection

Poor data appreciation Poor data accountability Poor data culture

Low esteem and professional frustration Disincentive to upgrade professional skills and technical capability Deterioration in data planning, development and management quality

Absence of effective policy intervention or support Vague data sector policies and guidelines Inadequate or ineffective institutional set up for data establishments including poor administrative and financial support Poor resource support including constraints on establishing modern office amenable for making extensive use of IT

Adverse impact on quality and reliability of data Data gaps Time lag in data availability

Conflicts in data demand and supply Distrust in data Data credibility crisis

Constraints in data collection Inadequate thrust or support on developing suitable methodology. Ineffective data validation mechanism causing variations and inconsistencies in data Problems in compilation, scrutiny and consolidation of data Problem in developing integrated data base Fig-1 V- 20

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