Ensuring food security through golden revolution: prospects, achievements, and bottlenecks

The horticulture sector pondered as the most dynamic and sustainable segment of agriculture, which covers wide spectrum of crops (fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, condiments, plantations etc.). Inclusion of some important and fast upcoming groups like medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom, bamboo, and bee keeping has further reinforced sustainability to this sector. Shifting food pattern in wake of increasing income and health awareness of the populace has transformed Indian Horticulture as a vibrant commercial venture with 5-6 percent annual growth rate during last decade. This significant growth undoubtedly attributed to the organized and planned horticultural policies under aegis of “Golden Revolution”. However, this revolution is still seeking a backbone support in the form of efficient post-harvest management system. In this article, the authors go over the pros and cons of horticulture sector in India highlighting the worldwide importance of post-harvest technology and its role for sustainable food safety and security.