Book Description

Horticultural crops are high value crops ensuring maximum returns to the growers with multiple scopes for value addition. Market driven agriculture prescribes quality in every stage of production and total quality management is a challenge to the horticulturist. Present volume on 'Biotechnology of horticultural crops' elaborates the scientific crop management of horticultural crops starting from selection of soil and activities related to production and handling of fresh produces in the field. Scope of value addition, organic farming, protected cultivation, export potential and economic analysis of production are included. The average per capita availability of fruits and vegetables in India is inadequate to meet requirements for nutritional and protective diet of the population. Of the total horticulture production, only 67 % is used for local consumption while 30 % is subjected to post harvest losses, 2 % for export and 0.8 % for processing. There is immense scope for developing horticultural produce market. Changing food habits, life styles and health consciousness and purchasing power have created an unprecedented opportunity for farmers and horticultural entrepreneur. Horticultural research and development which placed India as the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, largest producer and consumer of cashew nut, tea spices, third largest producer of coconut, forth largest producer and consumer of rubber and sixth largest producer of coffee in the world. Today, as a result synergy between focused research, technological and policy initiatives, high efficiency inputs, horticulture in India, has become a sustainable and viable venture for the small and marginal farmers. Besides, the sector has also started attracting entrepreneurs for taking up horticulture as a commercial venture. Therefore, there is a great scope for the horticulture industry to grow and flourish.