Application of Biotechnological Techniques in Horticultural Crops

Description

Horticultural crops are high-value products that guarantee growers maximum profits with several opportunities for value addition. Total quality management challenges the horticulturist since market-driven agriculture demands quality at every production stage. The current chapter on "Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops" elaborates on the scientific crop management of horticultural crops, beginning with the selection of soil and activities connected to producing and handling fresh products in the field. Included are the scope of value addition, organic farming, protected cultivation, exportability, and an economic study of output. The average amount of fruits and vegetables available per person in India is insufficient to provide the population's diet with the necessary nutrients and protection. Only 67% of the total horticulture output is used for domestic consumption; the remaining 30% is lost after harvest, 2% is exported, and 0.8% is processed. Therefore, the horticulture produce market has a ton of potential to grow. Farmers and horticultural entrepreneurs now have an unrivaled opportunity thanks to changing eating patterns, lifestyles, health consciousness, and purchasing power. India is the world's second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, the biggest producer and consumer of cashew nuts and tea spices, the third-largest producer of coconuts, the fourth-largest producer and consumer of rubber, and the sixth-largest producer of coffee, according to horticultural research and development. Because of this, horticulture in India has developed into a sustainable and profitable business for small and marginal farmers through the integration of targeted research, technology advancements, and regulatory efforts. Additionally, the industry has begun to draw businesspeople who want to develop horticulture-related ventures. As a result, there is enormous potential for the horticulture business to develop and prosper.