Sustainable livelihood security for resource-limited farmers is currently a top priority for the nation. However, there is a significant disparity in the productivity of various horticultural commodities between different eco-regions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where horticulture has the potential to play an important role. As a result, it is critical to achieve sustained and steady growth in rural incomes in order to have a positive impact on the living standards of various stakeholders.

Therefore, an effective strategy is needed to address the unique challenges faced by these climatically vulnerable regions. Farmers' net income can be increased through the efficient management of nutrients, water, and agricultural inputs, the integration of horticulture-based farming systems, better market price realization, post-harvest management and value addition, and the integration of secondary enterprises.

In this book, several such interventions are provided in various chapters, which will be of great use in improving the productivity and profitability of horticultural commodities.

1. Approaches for Improving Productivity and Profitability in Arid Horticulture 2. Integrated Nutrient Management for Horticultural Crops in Arid Region 3. Minimization of Pesticide Residues in Horticulture Produce for Ensuring Higher Returns in Export 4. Varietal Development in Arid Vegetable Crops for Higher Productivity 5. Integrated Disease Management in Arid Horticulture Crops 6. Plant Bio-Regulators for Improving Stress Tolerance for Higher Crop Productivity 7. Mass Multiplication of Quality Planting Material in Horticulture Crops 8. Tissue Culture of Fruit Crops for Quality Planting Materials 9. Strategies for Developing High Density Planting in Semi Arid Fruit Crops for Higher Yield and Returns 10. Canopy Architecture Management for Higher Fruit Production 11. Protected Cultivation Technology for Arid & Semi Arid Region 12. Production of Seed Spices with Saline/ Alkali Soils and Water in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions 13. Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Degraded Arid and Semi-Arid Regions 14. Fruit Cultivation in Salt-Affected Soils: Constraints and Management Options 15. Date Palm Cultivation in Arid Ecosystem 16. Flower Regulation in Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Under Hot Arid Climate 17. Bael: An Emerging Crop of Wastelands 18. Tunnel Technology of Cucurbit Cultivation in Hot Arid Region 19. Diagnosis and Management of Physiological Disorders in Arid Fruit Crops 20. Management of Abiotic Stresses in Horticulture Crops 21. Concept and Strategies for Doubling Farmers Income: Focus on Horticulture 22. Improving Yield and Income of Arid Vegetables 23. High Value Seed Spices for Better Profitability-Doubling Farmers Income 24. Nutritional Security of Semi Arid Farmers Through Underutilized Fruit 25. Crop Regulation in Fruit Crops for Improving Quality and Income of Farmers 26. Soil Health Card and its Importance for Getting Higher Income 27. IPM Strategies in Arid Horticultural Crops for Getting Higher Income Returns 28. Increasing Farmer’s Income from Ber in Arid Regions 29. Pomegranate- A Potential Fruit Crop for Ensuring Income Security of Farmers 30. Doubling Horticultural Productivity Under Khejri Based Cropping Models in Arid Environment 31. Cultivation of Cactus Pear for Higher Income in Arid Zone 32. Harvesting and Handling of Fruits and Vegetable Crops for Higher Income 33. Waste Utilization from Arid Horticultural Crops for Supplementing Farmers’ Income 34. Economic Impact Evaluation of Agricultural Management Projects in Arid Region 35. Interfacing Technologies and the Needs the Farm Women in Horticultural Sector 36. Adoption of Improved Varieties of Kachri and its Economic Impact in Arid Region 37. Socio-Economic Importance of Cucurbitaceous Vegetables in Hot Arid Zones of India