Horticulture and Agricultural Research in Rajasthan

1. Horticultural Landscape and Economic Significance

Diversification towards High-Value Horticulture

- **Shift from Conventional Subsistence to Commercial Horticulture:** Due to low rainfall, depleting groundwater tables, and frequent climatic vagaries, horticulture crops offering higher returns per drop of water have gained tremendous prominence across Rajasthan. - **National Horticulture Mission (NHM / MIDH):** Implemented in 24 selected districts of Rajasthan to incentivize commercial fruit orchards, protected greenhouse cultivation, post-harvest infrastructure, and cold-chain logistics. - **Rajasthan Horticulture Development Mission:** Launched under the dedicated state Agriculture Budget to support solar-assisted micro-irrigation, shaded polyhouses, and quality planting nurseries. - **National Standings of Rajasthan in Horticulture:** - **Seed Spices:** Undisputed national leader (**Rank 1**) in Cumin (Jeera), Coriander (Dhaniya), Fenugreek (Methi), Fennel (Saunf), and Ajwain. - **Medicinal Plants:** Top producer in Psyllium husk (Isabgol), Henna (Mehndi), and Ashwagandha. - **Citrus Fruits:** Jhalawar (known as the 'Nagpur of Rajasthan') and Sri Ganganagar are nationally recognized production belts for mandarin oranges and kinnow.

2. Fruit Crops and Arid Horticulture

With over 61% of its landmass under arid and semi-arid conditions, Rajasthan has pioneered the commercial cultivation of salt-tolerant and drought-hardy arid fruit crops.

Major Fruits and Production Belts

Fruit Prime Districts Prominent Varieties Research / Center of Excellence (CoE) Salient Facts
Mandarin Orange (Santra) Jhalawar, Kota, Baran Nagpuri Orange, Kinnow CoE for Citrus, Jhalawar Jhalawar is acclaimed as the 'Nagpur of Rajasthan' due to massive orange orchards.
Kinnow / Malta Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh Kinnow, Malta, Mosambi Sri Ganganagar Canal irrigated northern tract produces sweet export-grade citrus fruits.
Pomegranate (Anaar) Barmer, Jalore, Sanchore, Jodhpur Bhagwa (Sindhuri), Jalore Seedless, Mridula, Ganesh CoE for Pomegranate, Dhindhol (Bassi, Jaipur) Western desert (Barmer-Jalore) witnessed a 'Red Revolution' through drip-irrigated Bhagwa pomegranate orchards.
Date Palm (Khajoor) Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer, Jodhpur Halawy, Barhee, Khadrawy, Medjool CoE for Date Palm, Sagra (Bhojka, Jaisalmer) • Tissue culture date palm propagation lab at Chopasni (Jodhpur).
• Initiated under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project.
Ber (Desert Apple) Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer Seb, Gola, Umran, Kaithli CIAH Bikaner • Umran variety was developed in Alwar as a late-maturing, large-fruited cultivar.
• Known as 'King of Arid Fruits' or 'Desert Apple'.
Aonla (Indian Gooseberry) Jaipur (Chomu), Ajmer, Nagaur Chakaiya, Kanchan, Krishna, Banarasi, NA-7 Chomu (Jaipur) Chomu is a major trading hub for aonla and ber fruits.
Guava (Amrood) Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Bundi Lucknow-49 (Sardar Guava), Allahabad Safeda, Lalit, Shweta CoE for Guava, Deodawas (Tonk) Sawai Madhopur is the leading guava production district in Rajasthan.
Custard Apple (Sitaphal) Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Banswara Balanagar, NBRI Selection CoE for Custard Apple, Chittorgarh Naturally abundant across Aravalli hills and tribal forest belts.
Fig (Anjeer) Sirohi, Jalore Dinkar, Poona Sirohi Specialized CoE sanctioned at Sirohi.
Dragon Fruit (Kamalam) Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur Vietnam Red Dhindhol (Jaipur) Emerging super-fruit thriving under desert conditions.
Olive (Jaitun / Olea europaea) Bikaner (Loonkaransar), Jhunjhunu, Jaipur Barnea, Coratina, Frontio Loonkaransar (Bikaner) • Introduced under technical collaboration with Israel.
• India first commercial Olive Oil Refinery set up at Loonkaransar (Bikaner) in 2014.
• Brand: 'Raj Olive Oil' and Olive Green Tea.
Jojoba / Hohoba Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Bikaner Israeli clones Dhand (Jaipur) and Fatehpur (Sikar) • Desert shrub native to Arizona/Mexico producing liquid wax substitute for sperm whale oil.
• Managed under AJORP (Association of Rajasthan Jojoba Plantation).

3. Seed Spices and Commercial Vegetable Production

Rajasthan is celebrated as the 'Spice Bowl of India', particularly for seed spices.

Major Seed Spices

1. **Cumin (Jeera):** - **Tract:** Barmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaur, Jaisalmer. - **Varieties:** RZ-19, RZ-209, RZ-223, Gujarat Cumin-4. - **Prime Mandi:** Jodhpur (Bhagat ki Kothi) and Merta City (Nagaur). - **Fact:** Rajasthan contributes over 50% of national cumin output. 2. **Coriander (Dhaniya):** - **Tract:** Jhalawar, Baran, Kota (Hadoti belt). - **Prime Mandi:** Ramganj Mandi (Kota) - **Asia largest coriander wholesale market**. - **Varieties:** RCR-41, RCR-436, Kumbhraj. 3. **Fenugreek (Methi):** - **Tract:** Bikaner, Sikar, Nagaur, Jaipur. - **Nagauri Pan Methi (Kasuri Methi):** Grown in Tausar village (Nagaur); globally acclaimed for its intense, sweet aroma. - **Varieties:** RMT-1, RMT-143, RMT-305. 4. **Fennel (Saunf):** - **Tract:** Nagaur, Sirohi, Jodhpur, Tonk. - **Varieties:** RF-101, RF-125, Gujarat Fennel-11. 5. **Garlic (Lahsun):** - **Tract:** Baran, Kota, Jhalawar (Hadoti). - **Chhipabarod (Baran):** Largest garlic trading mandi in Rajasthan.

4. Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

Arid climatic stress boosts the concentration of secondary metabolites and bioactive alkaloids in medicinal plants.

  1. Psyllium / Isabgol (Plantago ovata):
    • Known locally as 'Ghoda Jeera' (horse cumin) due to boat-shaped seeds.
    • Tract: Barmer, Jalore, Sanchore, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur.
    • Global Standing: Rajasthan produces nearly 80% of India export-grade isabgol husk. Prime market at Bhinmal (Jalore).
  2. Henna / Mehndi (Lawsonia inermis):
    • Tract: Sojat (Pali).
    • GI Tag: Sojat Mehndi holds the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI Tag).
    • Mandi: Sojat is Asia largest wholesale henna trading hub.
  3. Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng):
    • Tract: Jhalawar, Chittorgarh, Kota, Nagaur. Valued for withanolides and immunity.
  4. Rose Cultivation:
    • Damask Rose (Cheti Gulab): Cultivated at Khamnore (Rajsamand) in the month of Chaitra; celebrated for essential rose oil and gulkand.
    • Red Rose: Pushkar (Ajmer), known as the 'Rose City of Rajasthan'.

5. Protected Cultivation and Micro-Irrigation

  • Polyhouses & Shade Net Structures: Controlled environmental chambers for off-season colored bell peppers, English cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.
  • Micro-Irrigation: Drip and sprinkler systems subsidized up to 70-75% to conserve ground moisture.
  • Narmada Canal Project: India first major irrigation project to make pressurized sprinkler micro-irrigation legally mandatory.

6. Centers of Excellence (Indo-Israel Agriculture Project)

  1. Citrus CoE: Nanta (Kota)
  2. Pomegranate CoE: Dhindhol, Bassi (Jaipur)
  3. Date Palm CoE: Sagra, Bhojka (Jaisalmer)
  4. Guava CoE: Deodawas (Tonk)
  5. Orange & Spices CoE: Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar)
  6. Vegetable CoE: Bundi
  7. Floriculture CoE: Sawai Madhopur
  8. Custard Apple CoE: Chittorgarh
  9. Medicinal & Aromatic CoE: Khemly, Mavli (Udaipur)
  10. Mango CoE: Khemri (Dholpur)

7. Apex Agricultural Research Institutes (ICAR)

  1. Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI): Jodhpur (Est. 1959; sand dune stabilization and arid agro-forestry).
  2. Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (CIAH): Beechwal, Bikaner (Est. 1993/2000; arid fruit breeding - Gola/Seb Ber, Thar Shobha Khejri).
  3. National Research Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS): Tabiji, Ajmer (Est. 2000; premier institute for cumin, coriander, and fenugreek genetics).
  4. Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (DRMR): Sewar, Bharatpur (Est. 20 October 1993; oilseed research).
  5. Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (RARI): Durgapura, Jaipur (under SKNAU Jobner).

8. State Agriculture Universities of Rajasthan

  1. Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU): Bikaner (Est. 1987).
  2. Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT): Udaipur (Est. 1999).
  3. Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University (SKNAU): Jobner, Jaipur Rural (Est. 2013).
  4. Agriculture University, Jodhpur (AU Jodhpur): Mandore, Jodhpur (Est. 2013).
  5. Agriculture University, Kota (AU Kota): Ummedganj, Kota (Est. 2013).
  • College of Horticulture and Forestry: Jhalawar (established 2004 under MPUAT).

9. Agro-Climatic Zones of Rajasthan (10 Zones)

  • Zone I-A: Arid Western Plain (Barmer, Jodhpur) - RRS Mandore.
  • Zone I-B: Irrigated North-Western Plain (Ganganagar, Hanumangarh) - RRS Sriganganagar.
  • Zone I-C: Hyper-Arid Partially Irrigated (Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Churu - Largest by area) - RRS Beechwal.
  • Zone II-A: Internal Drainage Dry Zone (Shekhawati: Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur) - RRS Fatehpur.
  • Zone II-B: Transitional Plain of Luni Basin (Pali, Jalore, Sirohi) - RRS Keshwana.
  • Zone III-A: Semi-Arid Eastern Plain (Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Dausa) - RRS Durgapura.
  • Zone III-B: Flood-Prone Eastern Plain (Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli) - RRS Kumher/Navgaon.
  • Zone IV-A: Sub-Humid Southern Plain & Aravalli (Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh) - RRS Udaipur.
  • Zone IV-B: Humid Southern Plain (Dungarpur, Banswara - Smallest by area) - Borwat Farm, Banswara.
  • Zone V: Humid South-Eastern Plain (Hadoti: Kota, Jhalawar, Baran, Bundi) - RRS Ummedganj.

10. Agricultural Innovations and Policies

  1. Dedicated Agriculture Budget: Rajasthan became the 2nd state in India to present a standalone Agriculture Budget starting from FY 2022-23.
  2. Centre of Excellence for Millets: Jodhpur (promoting bajra and coarse grains processing).
  3. Centre of Excellence for Organic Farming: Jhalawar.