Horticulture and Livelihood Security

The number of people without enough food to eat on a regular basis remains stubbornly high, touching one billion at the global level. The worst affected of poverty and hungers are women and children, with far reaching implications for quality of human resources. Poverty, the inability to attain a `minimum’ level of well being is the most fundamental to economic and social problem facing humanity. The UN endorsement of Millennium Development Goal to have the number of chronically undernourished people on earth by 2015 is doubtful of achievement in many countries including India. In the mean while, FAO has started deliberations on how to make the world food secure by 2050. In this context providing or attaining livelihood security and poverty reduction take the center stage.

The recent International Conference on Horticulture (ICH-2009) held November, 2009 has recognised that horticulture is (a) strong supporter of food security, (b) major contributor of nutrition security, (c) contributor of health and (d) generates income leading to economic growth and livelihood security.

This book `Horticulture and Livelihood Security’ elucidated the nexus between horticulture sector and livelihood security. The book contains 39 contributory articles by world renowned scientists, technocrats and development personnel’s, policy makers, appropriately placed in six sections viz., 1. Impact of horticulture on livelihood security, 2. Studies on food, nutrition and health security and income generation, 3. Contribution of horticulture technology, 4. Delivery of technology and products, 5. Government policies and development programmes and, 6. National and international cooperation edited by Dr. Prem Nath and Shri P. B. Gaddagimath, Bangalore.

The book would be of immense value for researchers, students, technocrats, bureaucrats, policy makers and public to understand the role of horticulture sector in providing livelihood security, food, nutritional and health security and economic growth and accordingly take up programmes and activities to further strengthen and promote horticulture sector and initiate policy issues at the appropriate levels.