Hi-tech technologies are which can be defined as those, which are modern, less environment dependent, capital intensive and have capacity to improve productivity and quality.
Thematic areas:
1. Germplasm and crop improvement.
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2. Hi-tech crop production of horticultural crops.
3. Protected cultivation.
4. Hi-tech plant protection.
5. Modern post harvest management.
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6. Logistics and polices for Hi-tech horticulture.
7. Policy issues.
Overview of Hi-tech horticulture:
1. Introduction:
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Horticulture crops occupy 13% of gross cropped area in the year of 2005-06. 37% of gross value of agriculture output and 50% of export earning. Horticulture today is not merely a means of diversification from an integeral part of food and nutritional security.
2. Genetic resource conservation of characteristics:
1. In vitro collection and conservation of fruit like mango, jackfruit.
2. Tissue culture techniques.
3. Cryo preservation
4. Gene bank.
3. Hi-tech propagation:
Micro propagation:
1. Tissue culture units for propagation, Banana, papaya, cardamom, bamboo etc.
Hybrid seed and seedling production in vegetable and flower crops:
1. Use of male sterile
Flower: Marigold
Vegetable: Cabbage.
4. Hi-tech crop production:
High density planting
1. Mango: Amarpali
2. Apple: Mailing (m) and mailing marton (Mm) root stock.
Growth retardants are used: CCC, B-9
Integrated nutrient management:
1. Fertilizer (slows release and coated)
2. Organic manuring (FYM, poultry etc.,)
3. Green manuring
4. Green leaf manuring
5. Composting of farm-town compost
6. Bio fertilizer
7. Vermiculture
Micro irrigation:
1. Drip irrigation — root zone application
2. Sprinkler — for due effect.
3. Fertigation (Both water + fertilizer)
4. Chemigation
5. Herbigation
Organic farming:
5. Protected cultivation:
3. Wrist chamber for propagation
1. Green house cultivation
2. Low cost wire shade nets
3. Wrist chamber for propagation
6. Crop protection:
1. Integrated pest management.
2. Pesticide application methods.
Ultra low volume spraying.
3. Bio pesticide.
i. NPV
ii. GV
iii. Bt formulation
4. Pesticide residue management.
5. Molecular diagnostic.
7. Post harvest technology:
Grading: (Maturity, colour, shape, texture, flavour)
Packing and storage
i. Modified atmosphere packaging
ii. Controlled atmosphere packaging
iii. Bio degradable film packaging
Cold chain: Cold chain is temperature management facility involving a number of equipment such as Pre-cooling unit, cold storage, humidity control atmospheric storage, refrigerated and storage system.
Irradiation: It refers to physical means of exposing fresh or pre packed products to gamma rays.
1. Flowers: rose, gladiolus
2. Vegetables Canned, persevered candy
3. Fruits: Mango, citrus
Hi-tech processing:
1. IQF—Individual quick freezing
2. Osmotic & Asecptic technologies.
Mechanisation/Automation
Quality standards
i. Sanitary and phytosanitary measure (SP)
ii. Technical Barriers to trade (TBT)
8. Logistics and policies
i. IPR issues.
ii. WTO concerns.
(1) Novelty
(2) Distinctiveness
(3) Imitating
Organisational support:
1. National Horticultural mission.
2. Budget allocation to NHC (National Horticulture Commission).
3. NUB
4. APEDA
Human Resource development
i. Advance training for student in
Biotechnology micropropagation, greenhouse technology, seed production etc.
Training
i. Horticulture engineering
ii. Land scape horticulture
iii. Processing (fruits & vegetables)
Research thrust:
ICAR
NBPGR
CPRI
CTCRI
NATP project
9. Conclusions:
1. Research in non core area to be taken up.
2. Various organisation like APEDA, NABARD, SFAC and FAO have to play a major pole.
3. Comprehensive, holistic approach towards integration of all technology leads to sustainable horticulture.
