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The state is a leading producer of a wide range of
horticulture items. It produces significant quantities of
traditional vegetables like brinjal, tomato, cabbage,
cauliflower, Cucurbits and lady’s finger. It also produces
nontraditional vegetables like broccoli, gherkin, baby corn,
brussel sprout, celery etc. Among fruits, the major ones are
pineapple, lychee, guava, banana, mango and sapota.
The
state is the first largest producer of pineapple and second
largest producer of lychee. The state also grows coconut,
cashew nut, areca nut, betel vine and various spices in
abundance. The important varieties of spices grown in the
state are Turmeric, Ginger, Chili and Large Cardamom.
Besides this, the state also enjoys favorable agro-climatic
conditions and abundant water supply, to grow a variety of
high value, exotic flowers. Historically, Darjeeling hills
of North Bengal have played a pioneering role in the
development of floriculture in India. In fact, nurseries at
Kalimpong, in Darjeeling district, were among the first to
export floriculture products from India to USA, UK and other
European countries. Tuberose, Rose, Chrysanthemum,
Gladiolus, Marigold, Jasmine, Sunflower, Gerbera,
Gypsophila, Balsam, China rose, Cosmos, Orchid and Lily are
some of the major ornamentals grown in the state.
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