The Indian state of Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, focuses on developing horticultural agriculture to take advantage of the cool climate characteristic of mountainous regions, and horticultural agriculture has become a major industry in the state. Horticultural agriculture is a major industry in the state. Specifically, the state focuses on the cultivation of fruit trees, vegetables, and spices, which have high cash value. Horticultural agriculture in the state has the potential to become an economic driver of the state and increase farmers’ incomes, especially if it can add value to temperate fruit trees and vegetables, where it has a comparative advantage, and trade profitably in the state’s local markets and markets in large consumption centers such as Delhi. In addition, if a supply chain for horticultural crops can be established in India, where demand for fruits and vegetables is increasing due to the growing middle class, mainly in urban areas, it could serve as a good example for other mountain states in India and other regions with similar disadvantages. However, the potential has not yet been fully exploited.
This cooperation will promote sales of horticultural products from Uttarakhand and increase the income of the target farmers by providing support for production of horticultural products, building supply chains, and strengthening the organizational structure of the state government in the four target districts of Uttarakhand, thereby contributing to the state’s socioeconomic development.
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