Paradigms in digital horticulture: A prospective

Horticulture sector has emerged as an important segment in Indian Agriculture. Starting with a back-yard farming in the beginning it has gone through transformation and its production has surpassed that of agricultural crops. Continuously growing population expected to reach 1.9 billion by 2047’s and limited availability of land and water will call for developing, testing and adapting most modern technology tools in horticulture sector to meet the demand of ever growing population. Digital technology comprising in-situ and crop growing environment sensors, advanced softwares including artificial intelligence/machine learning to generate prescription and coupled with devices to operate water and nutrient delivery systems have emerged useful for horticulture crop husbandry. Remote sensing, navigation and positioning system, geographic information system in conjunction with information and communication technology are expected to provide time and location specific information on crop area, condition and yield. Need for introducing traceability of input, process and storage conditions used in crop production, value addition. Supply-chain are expected to be facilitated with use of block-chain technology. Host of other digital technology solutions will enable screening genetic traits, breeding of varieties with desirable characteristics. Meeting the challenges of climate change will be a formidable task while planning economically profitable and sustainable horticulture crop production. Human resource development to meet the emerging requirement is also possible using digital technology. This review describes the potential use of a large number of digital technology applications in horticulture.