In recent years, India has consistently increased its production of small fruits. India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, with a diverse range of small fruits grown across the country. Small fruits, such as kiwifruit and blueberries, are in high demand due to the growing popularity of healthier food options and increased awareness of their associated health benefits. However, the current status of small fruit production in India is substantially lower than that of other fruit crops. Nonetheless, there has been a growing interest in small fruit production, particularly in regions with suitable climatic conditions. Currently, only two types of small fruit are commercially produced in India: grapes and Indian jujube/ber. Three other fruit types, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi, have production areas of less than 10,000 ha each. Despite the growing interest in small fruit production, several challenges, such as the lack of good planting materials, productivity issues, lack of packaging facilities, and marketing networks for farmers, need to be addressed to enhance the prospects for small fruit production in India. Future studies should focus on several areas to overcome these challenges. Firstly, it is crucial to understand the specific resource constraints that small fruit producers face and develop strategies to improve their access to essential resources, including planting materials, land, water, and financial support. Secondly, innovative marketing strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of small fruit production in India should be employed to expand domestic and international market opportunities. Lastly, adopting appropriate technologies and sustainable production practices is necessary to improve productivity and mitigate environmental impacts. Overall, the prospects for small fruit production in India appear promising, given the growing demand for healthier food options and the expanding domestic and international markets for small fruits.

1. 배는 인도의 주요 경제작물 중 하나로 북서부 지역과 북동부 고해발 지역에서 주로 재배되고 있다. 2. 인도는 세계에서 9번째의 배 생산 국가로, 재배면적은 1991년 19,000 ha에서 2019년 42,000 ha로 증가하여 28년간 약 2.2배가 증가하였다. 3. 배의 재배 면적과 생산량은 인도에서 생산되는 온대 과일 중 3위를 차지하고 있다. 4. 현재 배 재배면적은 매년 증가하고 있으며 약 500~1500 시간의 저온요구도 충족이 가능한 잠무와 카슈미르 북부지역, 히마찰프라데시주, 우타라칸주, 펀자브주 그리고 남부 타밀나 두주에서 주로 재배되고 있다. 5. 인도의 북서부와 동부의 고해발 지역은 다양한 품종의 배를 재배할 수 있는 좋은 기후 조건을 가지고 있지만, 병해충 발생으로 재배에 어려움이 나타나고 있다.