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We all are indebted to nature for providing us food and its resources for our subsistence and survival. In the food domain, cereal and legume grains occupy the front line, whereas, horticultural crops have occupied the second line of defense. For healthy diet cereals and legumes provide us with carbohydrates and protein, whereas, fruits and vegetables provide us minerals and vitamins. Both macro- and micro- nutrients are essential for human growth and development. The fruits and vegetables are the major source of micro-nutrients. It is estimated that up to 2.7 million lives could potentially be saved each year if fruit and vegetable production was sufficiently increased. Both at national and international levels, food and agriculture/horticulture development plans and estimates are basically developed, framed and implemented, and narrowed down to cereal production. In the present context of attaining nutrition security, this mode of thinking on ‘food’ needs to be changed to ‘nutrients’, which will include necessarily all those crops including fruit and vegetables which provide all macro- and micro-nutrients to ensure balanced nutrition needed for good human health. The present publication has attempted to reflect and discuss the above views and ideas on the subject of sustainable horticulture development and nutrition security in nine chapters with 32 articles by 32 authors.

The development of sustainable agricultural systems is an imperative aspect of any country, but particularly in the context of developing countries. Lack of progress in these initiatives can have negative effects on the nation as a whole. Agricultural Development and Food Security in Developing Nations is a pivotal reference source for the latest scholarly material on promoting advancements in agricultural systems and food security in developing economies. Highlighting impacts on citizens, as well as on political and social environments of a country, this book is ideally designed for students, professionals, policy makers, researchers, and practitioners interested in recent developments in the areas of agriculture.

Malnutrition-under nutrition and imbalanced nutrition-is a major health problem in developing and developed countries. The recent National Health Survey-2005-06 says "India loses 2-3 per cent of its GDP every year due to undernutrition among children in the age group of up to two years." According to the report "Nutrition in India" even among wealthy only about 7 percent children between 6 and 24 months receive adequate feeding, health care and environmental health. The FAO of the UN declared 2014 as year of family farming with the intention of making each family a farming unit to meet the nutritional requirement. The Indian National Science Academy focused on micronutrient security as priority for research and action. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi released two policy papers related to organic farming and related approaches to make homesteads self sustainable. Being a sub-continent enjoying temperate, sub-tropical and tropical climate along with arid climate and a longer coastal eco-system India has the strength of biodiversity, traditional wisdom and adequate natural resources-soil, water and energy. "There is a horticultural remedy for every nutritional malady" says Prof. M.S. Swaminathan. Fruits, vegetables, spices and aromatic plants are the reservoirs of much needed fibre, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, lipids, flavourants, odourants and essential phyto-chemicals. Horticulture for Nutrition Security carries 21 chapters authored by 43 well known scientists. Four preambles are added to get the most authoritative information on Nutrition Security. The book has a FOREWORD by Prof. V.L. Chopra, Former Member, Planning Commission (Science) GOI and Former Director General ICAR New Delhi. The book is devoted to Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, the Father of Green Revolution for his commitment to make India hunger free by 2030.

The book is a comprehensive and need oriented volume encompassing the latest and balanced information about various aspects of fruit culture (tropical & subtropical). Following is a sampling of topics covered. Introductory on Fruit Industry deals briefly with production statistics, social, nutritive and industrial relevance and importance of fruit production. Second provides a complete overview of all principles and practices associated with Orchard planning, Layout and Management in a very abridged manner. The third on Classification of fruit crops includes botanical, horticultural and environmental grouping in a very precise but meaningful manner. Following s give a detailed account on different aspects including origin, distribution, botany & varieties, classification, climate & soil requirements, propagation, cultivation methods, flowering, harvesting, post harvest methods and crop protection of different fruit crops coming under each group such as tropical, subtropical and arid & semi-arid fruits. IV is on tropical fruits - Banana, Guava, Mangosteen, Papaya Pineapple and Sapota. V is on ten major subtropical fruits Avocado, Citrus, Grapes, Litchi, Loquat, Mango, Olive, Passion fruit, Persimmon and Pomegranate. VI contains details of eight major arid & semi-arid fruit crops namely, Aonla, Ber, Custard apple, Date, Fig, Jack, Jamun and Phalsa. Apart from these major fruit crops, VII gives a brief but comprehensive account on a large number of under and un - exploited fruit crops of tropical and subtropical parts of the world. This gives details of well-known minor fruits and a list of other very less known fruit species, which can be made the subject of detailed study for further utilization and information generation. Information provided in this compilation will be of use to students, teachers, scientists, extension workers, orchardists and others interested in fruit culture.

This book identifies and analyzes livelihood impacts of recent environmental and socio-economic changes in urban and rural settings of the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, north western Himalaya, India. The findings of the research deal with the broader objectives of the changing patterns of agricultural production with special reference to diversification, as well as forest-based livelihood outcomes, Clean Development Mechanism forest project activities, the roles of different ethnic groups and non-governmental organizations and the benefits and shortcomings of tourism as a livelihood source. These tasks are studied by using an exploratory approach, with participant observation, interviews through random and cluster sampling among villagers, local land users and officials, as well as with land cover interpretation and secondary statistical data. This book is relevant for educational use together with policy input on the issues exploring livelihood security in a rapidly growing developing country.

Urban horticulture is a means of utilizing every little space available in cities amidst buildings and other constructions for growing plants. It utilizes this space to raise gardens that can be economically productive while contributing to environmental greening. It can boost food and ornamental plants production, provide job opportunities, promote green space development, waste recycling, and urban landscaping, and result in improved environment. This book covers a wide array of topics on this subject and constitutes a valuable reference guide for students, professors, researchers, builders, and horticulturists concerned with urban horticulture, city planning, biodiversity, and the sustainable development of horticultural resources.