Development Of Horticulture In Dehradun District

Abstract

Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, breeding and genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, and plant physiology. The work basically involves fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and turf. Horticulturists work to improve crop yield, quality, nutritional value, and resistance of insects, diseases, and environmental stress. Horticulture usually refers to gardening on a smaller scale, while agriculture refers to the large-scale cultivation of crops.

 Glimpses of Indian Horticulture

India is:

1. Globally, the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
2. Largest producer of mango, banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, pomegranate etc.
3. Largest producer and exporter of spices.
4. Ranked first in productivity of grapes, banana, cassava, peas, papaya etc.
5. Leader of export growth of fresh fruits and vegetables in term of value (14%) and of processed fruits and vegetables (16.27%).

Over the years, horticulture has emerged as one of the potential agricultural enterprises in accelerating the growth of economy. Its role in the country's nutritional security, poverty alleviation and employment generation programs are becoming increasingly important. It offers not only a wide range of options to the farmers for crop diversification, but also provides ample scope for sustaining large number of Agro- industries.