XVIII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2026

Introduction.Horticulturereferstotheintensivecultivationandmanagementofgardencrops, which include fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, often on a smaller scale compared to traditional agriculture.

Horticulture. Theterm HorticultureisderivedfromtheLatinwords «hortus»(garden)and «cultūra» (cultivation).

L.H.BaileyisconsideredtheFatherofAmericanHorticultureandM.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.

Classification ofHorticulture.

1. Pomology - It is the study and cultivation of fruit crops such as mango, banana,guavaetc.Itincludesbreeding,harvesting,storage,andpost-harvest management to ensure nutritional quality and commercial value.

2. Olericulture-Itfocusesonvegetablecultivationincludingcropslike tomato, potato, onion, etc.It plays a critical role in food security and micronutrient supply for human diets.

3. Floriculture-Itdealswithornamentalandfloweringplantssuchasroses, marigolds, lilies, etc.It contributes to landscaping, decoration, perfume industries, and export markets.

4. Spices and Condiments Cultivation - This branch includes crops like pepper,cardamom,turmeric,etc.whichareimportantforculinary,medicinal, and export purposes. India is one of the world’s leading spice producers.

5. Plantation Crops - Plantation horticulture involves long-duration commercialcropssuchastea,coffee,coconut,rubber,andcocoathatrequires specific climatic and soil conditions and contributes significantly to export revenue.

6. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - This includes plants used in pharmaceuticals,traditionalmedicine,andessentialoilssuchastulsi,aloe vera,ashwagandha,etc.Thesecropssupportbothhealthcareindustriesand biodiversity conservation [4,5].

Horticulture inIndia. India possesses one of the most diverse agro-climatic systems in the world, ranging from tropical climates in the south, subtropical belts in central regions, to temperate and alpine climates in the Himalayan north. This climatic variation, along with diverse soil types such as alluvial, black, red, laterite, and desert soils, enables the cultivation of an exceptionally wide spectrum of horticultural crops throughout the year. Seasonal monsoon rainfall, extensive river systems, and expanding irrigation facilities further support continuous plant production. Because of these natural advantages, India is recognized as oneoftheleadingglobalproducersoffruitsandvegetables,includingmangoes, bananas, citrus fruits, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. The horticulture sector contributes significantlyto nutritional security by supplying vitamins,minerals, and dietary fiber to the population. Economically, it generates large-scale employment opportunities in farming, transportation, storage, processing, and export industries. Additionally, it strengthens India’s agricultural economy and international trade presence [4,5].

Stateofthe Horticulture Sector inIndia. The horticulture sector contributes approximately one-third (≈33%) to the AgricultureGrossValueAdded(GVA),makingitamajorpillaroftheIndian rural economy. In recent years, total horticultural production has surpassed food-grain output, producing over 320 million tons from a significantly smaller cultivated area compared to cereals. Despite strong domestic production, India’s global export share remains relatively small and post- harvest losses—estimated at 15–20% of fruits and vegetables—pose environmentalandeconomicconcerns,includingincreasedgreenhousegas emissions [2,3,6].

HorticultureProduction&Area inIndia(FY2023- 24) [1,3]

India’sGlobal RankinProduction(FAO2023) [2]

ProcessedFruits&VegetablesExport(FY2024–25) [1]

ChallengesFacedbytheHorticultureSectorinIndia:

1. ClimateChangeVulnerability

   • ErraticWeatherPatterns

   • Extreme ClimaticEvents

2. Water Management Issues

   • WaterScarcity

   • Over-exploitation ofGroundwater

3. PestsandDiseases

• PesticideResistance

• InvasiveSpecies

Post-HarvestLossesandInfrastructureConstraints

• Inadequate StorageFacilities

• Weak Cold Chain &Transport [2,3]

References:

1. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables. – Text : electronic // Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) : [website]. ­– 2026. – URL: https://apeda.gov.in/FreshFruitsAndVegetables (data accessed: 14.01.2026).

2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Reports. – Text : electronic // Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) : [website]. – 2026. – URL: https://www.fao.org/statistics/statistical-capacity-development-test/sdg-monitoring/en (data accessed: 20.01.2026).

3. Horticulture Statistics at a Glance. – Text : electronic // National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India : [website]. – 2026. – URL: https://nhb.gov.in/Statistics.aspx?enc=i3aXhtkJwc/n3rCHOr1FVp4BttTNWlLSQ8DhVptPrAbUppswYCodsFDUK1EY4Ru6yxB1yyjqgJ6NwxLqpANwXQ==# (data accessed: 14.01.2026).

4. Horticulture: Types, Importance & More. – Text : electronic // NEXT IAS : [website]. – 2024. – URL: https://www.nextias.com/blog/horticulture/ (data accessed: 16.01.2026).

5. Horticulture. – Text : electronic // Government of India : [website]. – 2026. – URL: https://www.data.gov.in/dataset-group-name/Horticulture/ (data accessed: 25.01.2026).

6. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Economic Survey documents the strength of Indian agriculture and rural India / Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan – Text : electronic // Press release: PIB Delhi : [website]. – 2026. – 29 January. – URL: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2220472&reg=3&lang=2 (data accessed: 01.02.2026).

*The review article has been written under the guidance of Associate Professor of biology department of Orenburg State Medical University, Cand. Sc. (Biology), G.F. Kolchugina

*Данная обзорная статья написана под руководством доцента кафедры биологии Оренбургского государственного медицинского университета, кандидата биологических наук Г.Ф. Кольчугиной.