Protected cultivation of vegetables, fruits and commercial crops offers immense potentials to address the challenges of increasing production, productivity and sustainability of farming. The book covers various aspects of adoption of Protected Cultivation in India and Its socio-economic impact on farm households. The history of protected cultivation, its growth over the years in the context of various government programmes is critically documented. The adoption of protected cultivation and its impact on farm household in terms of employment generated, increase in production and productivity and farm incomes are discussed in details. The book is written keeping in view the diverse information needs of various stakeholders associated with the subject. The contents are presented in a very simple and lucid manner making it readable even for the person from non-technical background. The book acts as scientific guide for researchers, policy-makers, academicians, students and farmer on the issues of Protected Cultivation Technology.
Dr. Itigi Prabhakar completed his schooling from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bellari, Karnataka; Bachelors Degree in Agriculture from University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in 2008 and Masters Degree in Agriculture Extension and Communication from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar in 2010. He has completed his Ph.D. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 2015. Further, he pursued Diploma in Rural Development and Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore and Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management from National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad, Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Development and Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship Development from Annamalai University. Dr. Prabhakar has significantly contributed in the field of Protected Cultivation Technology by undertaking empirical research with various aspect of protected cultivation in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Dr. Prabhakar has received numerous awards and fellowships including ICAR-JRF Fellowship Award, UGC-JRF&SRF Fellowship Award, ICARSRF Fellowship Award, DST-INSPIRE Fellowship Award, Best Research Paper Presentation Award, Best Research Scholar Award, Young Scientist Award to cite a few. His diverse areas of research range from Extension Management, Impact Studies, Social issues in Protected Cultivation Technologies and Farmers training and development. He has published 27 research papers in National and International Journals. He served as Coordinator in organizing Karnataka Science and TechnologyConference-2014. He served as Assistant Professor at Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat and presently serving as Assistant Professor and Headin University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, and Karnataka till date. He is actively involved in capacity building programmes for the students in the University. He has also been an excellent sportsman, having participated in national level and SGFI Sports and Games Meet and has-been the university team captain throughout his degree period. He is an excellent orator and has participated and presented research papers in various National and International Conferences. He also completed two Social Science research project funded by RKVY and UHS Bagalkot as Principal Investigator.
Dr. Swetha, B.S. did her graduation in Agriculture, Post Graduation and Ph.D. in Agriculture Extension with distinction from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. She also holds Post Graduate Diploma in Mass communication and Journalism from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore, Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management from National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad, Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Development and Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship Development from Annamalai University. She also had undergone eight higher academic trainings from various national institutes. Her diverse areas of research range from Agriculture Journalism, Impact studies, Rural Women capacity building, Terrace gardening, Farmers Producer organizations, etc. She has more than 15 scientific publications About the Authors / vi in reputed journals to her credit followed by training manuals and extension folders. She has been instrumental in teaching and training of farm families by laying out training programs, field days, radio broadcasts, TV telecasts and Print media. Dr. Swetha has been honored with several awards viz. University Merit Scholarships, DBT-PURSE fellowship, World Sustainable Agriculture Development award on the occasion of World Environment Congress, Outstanding women scientist award from International Conference on food, agriculture and Innovation at Thailand. She had served as Agriculture officer at Karnataka State department of Agriculture for one year. Presently she is working as Assistant Professor and Head, Horticulture Extension Education Unit, Bengaluru, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India since 2013.
