Scope of Horticulture

Abstract

Dry land horticulture has a special significance, especially when there is a renewed emphasis on increasing the productivity of marginal lands. At present, the productivity of these lands is very low as most of these lands are located in either semiarid or arid areas. Most of these lands are not fit for crop farming, and crop farming on such lands is also very risky and is not remunerative. The cultivation of fruit crops in this region with conventional methods is not going to be a paying preposition. It is only by adopting farming system approach the cultivation of fruit crops can be successful in these regions. Ecoregional approach will have to aim at enhancing agricultural productivity and production on a sustainable basis, to meet the ever growing needs of farm family and livestock for food, fuel, and fodder. This would imply an up scaling of research activities within the ecoregions. Research and management of natural resources and a balance in the development and utilization of biodiversity would be important. The research should aim at improving the productivity of scarce resources while protecting the quality of soil and water and at the same time safeguarding biodiversity for posterity. Thus there is tremendous scope for horticulture in semiarid areas.