Horticulture

Horticulture is the branch of agriculture which deals with the production and post harvest management of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. It is practiced from the individual level in a garden up to the activities of a multinational corporation.  It is very diverse in its activities, incorporating plants for food (fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, culinary herbs) and non-food crops (flowers, trees and shrubs, turf-grass, hops, grapes, medicinal herbs). It also includes related services in plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design/construction/maintenance, horticultural therapy, and much more.

Scope

Horticulture is having diverse and wider scope in the field of agriculture. From  normal vegetable, fruit and flower growing to   Protected cultivation of high value vegetable and flower crops like capsicum, orchids, gerbera, carnation management of horticulture nurseries, installation and management of gardens and lawns. Other allied enterprises like mushroom cultivation, cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, vegetable and fruit processing, hydroponics etc comes under the scope of horticulture.

Daksin Kannada District comprises of both plains, hilly and costal region is characterized by heavy rainfall during Kharif and high humidity zone.  It is seen that plantation crops such as coconut, arecanut, cashewnut, rubber, coco, black pepper are dominant in horticulture crops. Besides, banana, sapota, Papaya, jackfruit fruit and breadfruit crops are significant contribution to fruit production followed by vegetables are okra, gourds, cowpea, bhendi, brinjal and leafy vegetables. KVK actively involved in the conducting of farm trials, front line demonstrations, field days and trainings to achieve the scientific approach in horticulture crops of the District.