Dynamics of horticulture education, research and development in historical perspective — A way forward

This article describes the scenario of Indian horticulture in perspective of historical background, the status in the pre- and post- independence era, contribution towards agricultural economy in terms of food, nutritional and wellness of the society, per capita availability of fruits and vegetables, drastically enhancement in horticulture crops production from merely 25 million tons in 1952–53 to 268.9 million tons in 2012–13, horticulture as a subject of agriculture, technology and agri-business management, diversification and expansion of ICAR-based horticultural institutes based on the regionspecific, crop-specific mandates, status of horticulture as a subject in State Agricultural Universities, creation of horticultural universities and above all the strategic policy areas to boost horticulture production, export and contribution towards GDP.