The Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday released its second advance estimates projecting that India's horticulture production is estimated to rise 2.1 per cent to 341.63 million tonne in 2021-22 mainly on higher output of fruits, vegetables and honey, an increase of about 7.07 million tones as compared to 334.60 million tonne in 2020-21.

Except onion, potato and tomato productions are expected to be lower in 2021-22.

In the first estimates, the production was pegged at 333.25 million tonne. The area under horticulture crops has increased marginally to 27.74 million hectare from 27.48 million hectare.

As per the data, fruits production is estimated to rise to 107.10 million tonne from 102.48 million tonne in 2020-21. The production of vegetables is estimated to increase to 204.61 million tonne compared to 200.45 million tonne in 2020-21.

 Among vegetables, onion production is estimated to rise at 31.70 million tonne from 26.64 million tonne in 2020-21. However, potato production is expected to decline to 53.58 million tonne from 56.17 million tonne in 2020-21.

Tomato output is projected to fall at 20.34 million tonne as compared to 21.18 million tonne in 2020-21.

"Increase in production of fruits, vegetables and honey while decrease in production of spices, flowers, aromatics and medicinal plants and plantation crops over previous year, is envisaged," the statement said.

Planting of kharif or summer-sown crops is currently lagging last year’s levels due to an uneven monsoon, despite a recent pick-up in rains and flooding in many states. Meteorologists expect rainfall to be average for the rest of July, the most crucial month for agriculture.