Horticultural Crops

The horticulture sector comprises several crops viz., fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal crops, plantation crops, ornamental crops, mushrooms, tuber crops, etc. From pre-independence era till eighth 5-year plan no much importance was given to this sector as food security and poverty alleviation was the major issue. However, over the years the horticulture sector has emerged as one of the inseparable parts of agriculture providing a wide range of crop diversification to the farmers. Today, India has surpassed in the production of horticulture crops and agriculture crops. This sector also provides a lot of employment opportunities for sustaining many agro-industries which in-turn generates employment opportunities substantially. With an increase in the purchasing power of people, the cereal and pulses-based dietary style is switching towards vegetable and fruit-based dietary styles as horticultural crops provide nutritional security. To reach this stage of becoming the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, the horticulture sector has faced several challenges and constraints. With the constant effort of government assistance by allocating funds to horticultural research in-terms of establishing horticultural research institutes and universities several new varieties and improved production practices have been developed which helped in achieving higher production of horticultural crops. In addition, horticulture is not only restricted to fruit and vegetable cultivation in rural areas but has stretched its wings to urban and semi-urban areas. The new modern concepts for landscape development are keen on using any kind of concrete or glass, turning them into real vertical gardens, being possible to overcome the development of the urban areas making a smooth transition for a healthy green urban environment. Because of the strong impetus for the development of the horticulture sector, there is tremendous scope for enhancing the productivity of Indian horticulture which is imperative to cater to the country’s estimated demand of 650 million MT of fruits and vegetables by the year 2050.