Table of Contents
Introduction
Papaya, often called the “fruit of angels,” is a tropical delight known for its sweet, juicy orange flesh and high nutritional value. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with antioxidants and digestive enzymes like papain, papaya is widely consumed in Indian households for both its taste and health benefits. The fruit is not only eaten fresh but is also used in juices, salads, and skincare products.
Papaya farming plays a crucial role in India’s agricultural sector, with farmers cultivating it in tropical and subtropical regions. Known by different names across India Papita in Hindi, Pappayi Hannu in Kannada, Boppayi Pandu in Telugu, and Pappali in Malayalam the fruit holds both cultural and economic significance.
India is one of the leading producers of papaya, contributing significantly to global production. In 2023-24, India recorded an impressive total papaya production of around 5,304 kilotonnes.
Now, let’s explore the top 10 Papaya-producing states in India for 2023-24 in detail.

Top 10 Papaya Producing States in India
- Gujarat
- Andhra Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- West Bengal
- Chhattisgarh
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Assam
- Telangana

Gujarat

Gujarat ranks first in papaya production in India for 2023-24, with a total output of 1,050.21 kilotonnes, contributing 19.8% to the country’s total production. Papaya was cultivated over approximately 180.4 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in Gujarat include Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, and Kheda.
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh ranks second in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 934.70 kilotonnes, contributing 17.6% to India’s total production. Papaya was cultivated over 125.5 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions of Andhra Pradesh include Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool.
Maharashtra

Maharashtra ranks third in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 640.37 kilotonnes, accounting for 12.1% of the country’s total production. The crop was cultivated across 173.8 km² in the state. The key papaya-producing regions in Maharashtra include Sangli, Satara, Pune, Nasik, Sholapur, Nagpur, and Amravati.
Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh ranks fourth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 567.38 kilotonnes, making up 10.7% of India’s total production. Papaya was cultivated over 138.2 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in Madhya Pradesh include Khandwa, Dhar, Guna, and Ratlam.
West Bengal

West Bengal ranks fifth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 342.22 kilotonnes, contributing 6.5% to the country’s total production. The crop was cultivated over 151.2 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in West Bengal include North 24 Parganas and Nadia.

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh ranks sixth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 334.20 kilotonnes. Papaya was cultivated over 131.2 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in Chhattisgarh include Durg and Raipur.
Karnataka

Karnataka ranks seventh in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 318.83 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 41.8 km² in the state. The key papaya-producing regions in Karnataka include Bidar, Kalaburagi, Shimoga, and Chitradurga.
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks eighth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 219.21 kilotonnes. Papaya was cultivated over 32.1 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in Tamil Nadu include Dindigul and Erode.
Assam

Assam ranks ninth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 176.14 kilotonnes. The crop was grown across 86.5 km² in the state. The key papaya-producing regions in Assam include Golaghat, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Barpeta, and Kamrup.
Telangana

Telangana ranks tenth in papaya production in 2023-24, with a total output of 136.99 kilotonnes. Papaya was cultivated over 19.3 km² in the state. The major papaya-producing regions in Telangana include Jagtial, Ranga Reddy, and Khammam.

Top 10 States in India Based on Papaya Productivity
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Bihar
- Manipur
Fun Facts About Papaya
- Papaya, though it grows on a tree-like plant, is actually a giant herb, not a true tree.
- The antioxidants in papaya, especially vitamin C and beta-carotene, help protect the skin from sun damage and aging.
- The enzyme papain in papaya is so powerful that it can digest meat proteins, which is why it’s used in marinades and meat tenderizers.
- Papaya is a key ingredient in many beauty products, as papain exfoliates dead skin cells, giving a natural glow.
- In traditional Indian and Ayurvedic medicine, papaya leaves are used to treat dengue fever.
- Papaya seeds have a peppery taste and are often used as a natural substitute for black pepper in cooking.
- Applying papaya pulp to mosquito bites can soothe itching and reduce swelling due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- India is the world’s largest papaya producer, contributing nearly 45% of global production.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state is the largest producer of papaya in India?
A. Gujarat ranks first in papaya production in 2023-24.
Q. Which state is the second-largest producer of papaya in India?
A. Andhra Pradesh holds the second position in 2023-24.
Q. What are the top five papaya-producing states in India?
A. The top five states in 2023-24 are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Q. Which state has the largest area under papaya cultivation?
A. Gujarat has the highest area under papaya cultivation in India in 2023-24.
Q. Which state has the highest papaya productivity in India?
A. Karnataka records the highest papaya productivity in India in 2023-24.
Q. What is the total papaya production in India for 2023-24?
A. India’s total papaya production is around 5,304 kilotonnes in 2023-24.
Q. What is the scientific name of papaya?
A. The scientific name of papaya is Carica papaya.
Q. To which botanical family does papaya belong?
A. Papaya belongs to the Caricaceae family.
Q. What are the common Indian names for papaya?
A. Papita, Papayi, Boppayi, and Pappali are a few Indian names for papaya.
