1Confederation of Horticultrue Associations of India, New Delhi, 110012, India
2Niti Ayog, New Delhi, 1110012, India
3Division of Vegetable Science, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
*Corresponding author email: confedhorti@gmail.com
Online published on 4 June, 2025.
The integration of bioeconomy principles into horticulture presents a transformative opportunity to reorient the sector toward sustainability, profitability, and inclusiveness. By harnessing renewable biological resources, circular production systems, and cutting-edge innovations, horticulture can evolve beyond conventional, input-intensive models into regenerative and climate-resilient enterprises. This paper examines the strategic pillars of a horticultural bioeconomy, including sustainable resource management, circular economy approaches, renewable energy adoption, product diversification, and technology-led innovation, and demonstrates how these elements converge to redefine the future of horticulture. Drawing on field-level evidence and practical applications, the study highlights successful case studies such as coconut-based integrated farming systems and banana cultivation in India, illustrating how bioeconomy-aligned models can improve farm incomes, enhance ecological balance, and strengthen rural livelihoods. The paper concludes with insights on scaling these interventions through supportive policies, capacity-building, and institutional convergence.
Bioeconomy, Circular economy, Climate resilience, Horticulture, India, Livelihood, Product diversification, Renewable energy