Synopsis
In the face of rising climate variability, population growth, and shifting agro-ecological challenges, ensuring sustainable and profitable horticultural production is a national priority. This book, Agro-Advisory Services in Horticulture, provides a comprehensive and science-based exploration of how real-time, location-specific advisories can support fruit and spice crop growers across India diverse agro-climatic zones. The book compiles contributions from leading scientists, extension specialists, and agronomists who have worked extensively in the field of horticulture. It emphasizes the importance of agro-advisory systems as a bridge between research and field-level application, particularly for small and marginal farmers facing the impacts of climate extremes. Topics include canopy management, insect and disease control, nutrient scheduling, harvesting and post-harvest protocols, and ICT-based mobile advisory systems. Specific focus is placed on subtropical fruit crops like mango, guava, and citrus, as well as spice crops such as cardamom, turmeric, and black pepper. Region-specific case studies, including those from Maharashtra, Kerala, and saline-sodic zones, offer actionable insights into field-level impacts and adaptive management practices. The book also highlights the critical role of women in horticultural sustainability, the significance of farmer engagement through micro-level advisories, and the necessity of resource conservation practices for long-term productivity. This publication is an invaluable resource for:Extension professionals involved in agri-communicationResearchers and academicians in horticulture and climate-resilient agricultureStudents of agricultural sciencesPolicy planners and development agencies aiming to strengthen farmer support systemsBy combining scientific knowledge with field-tested advisory models, the book aims to empower India horticulture sector to thrive amidst both environmental and market challenges.
About the Authors
Prabhat Kumar Shukla is presently working as Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology) at ICAR-CISH, Lucknow and ha also served as Assistant Professor at N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology in Kumarganj, Ayodhya. His specialization has been in disease survey, host parasite relationship, physiology of parasitism, factors influencing disease severity and nematode-fungus interaction and development of strategies for the management of important diseases of food grains, pulses, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants and fruit crops caused by plant parasitic nematodes and fungi. He has also worked on improvement in mushroom cultivation technologies and expansion of its cultivation through spawn supply and extension. He has 89 research papers, 23 book chapters, 2 manuals, 2 bulletins, 42 popular articles, and 18 extension folders to his credit. He has also received several awards, including the Young Scientist Award, the IPS Pathology Ratan Award, and the Best Scientist Award. He has also served as an examiner for several universities, as well as a reviewer/editor for Springer, APS, SIS, and other journals.
Tarun Adak presently working as Senior Scientist (ICAR-ARS) at ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is a resource person for natural resource conservation and management in Horticultural crops. He is expert in agroadvisory services for issuance of real time weather based forecasting, soil and water management and mobile based advisory services in subtropical fruits. He is working on National Priorities. Worked sincerely and contributed significantly in NICRA project; working systematically and scientifically in the field of Science and management. Expert in providing key solutions in National Problems; disseminated technologies to farmers/growers/stakeholders across different states of India. Sincerely contributing to Skill India and Human Resource Development programmes of Govt. of India and devoted for Nation Building. He is Life Members/actively associated with number of National Societies/Associations. He is authored and co-authored in research papers/articles/bulletins in a number of peers reviewed National and International Journals. He is recipient of number of National Awards.
Gundappa distinguished entomologist and Senior Scientist at ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru. With over one and half decade of experience in agricultural research, his expertise spans around integrated pest management, insect biodiversity, and sustainable pest management practices. The main area of his research has been integrated pest management, development of decision support systems for IPM, Fruit Entomology, and climate change. Dr Gundappa’s significant research contributions are the development of a forecasting model for major pests of mango and guava, validation of IPM technology for mango shoot gall psylla, guava bark eating caterpillar and mango thrips, development of species distribution models for quarantine pests of mango, and assessment of climate change on the insect pest distribution. He has also contributed to the validation of various technologies through the All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits as well as AICRP on Biological Control of Crop Pests. He has developed more than 10 technologies and published extensively in peer-reviewed national and international journals. A recipient of multiple national and international accolades, he is committed to promoting environmentally friendly agricultural solutions for a resilient future.
Naresh Babu, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow is a well known horticultural scientist who has served for over 25 years. He has obtained Master’s and Ph.D. degree from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur in 1990 and 1995. He has immensely contributed in hill and coastal horticulture for tribal people, nutrition, drip irrigation, canopy management, high density planting, organic farming, horticultural models, protected cultivation of vegetables and gender issues. He has developed orchards of various varieties of mango, guava, coconut, cashew nut and underutilized fruits. Presently he is working as resource person for crop diversification and dissemination of horticultural technologies covering farmers of different socio-economic condition. He has completed number of in-house; inter institutional and externally funded projects. He has good number of publications to his credits and life member of various scientific professional societies; organized several capacities building programmes for farming community and officials.
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