The Indian Horticulture Summit-2020 was held from February 14-16, 2020, organized by the Society for Horticultural Research and Development (SHRD), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (MGCKV), Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, Gautam Kalloo Research and Development Foundation, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and Sewa International, Bharat, New Delhi.
The summit highlighted the vital contribution of horticultural crops to India’s economy, particularly for rural livelihoods. Over the last two to three decades, horticulture has seen phenomenal growth in area and production, becoming a key driver of economic development, contributing 31% to agricultural GDP. Recognized as technology-led development, modern hi-tech horticulture has transformed the sector into a commercially viable and sustainable industry.
With a focused push since the 7th Five-Year Plan, horticulture has not only expanded in production but has also enabled crop diversification, enhanced farmer incomes, and strengthened nutritional security. The cluster-based expansion of horticulture, supported by post-harvest management infrastructure, has particularly benefited small and marginal farmers, many of whom now contribute to horticultural exports.
The summit emphasized the need for agro-ecological land-use planning and watershed-based farming systems to harness India's diverse agro-climatic conditions for sustainable horticultural development. Inspired by these advancements, the Society for Horticultural Research and Development (SHRD) launched the journal Current Horticulture to document and share research and innovations in the field.
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