CHAPTER-1

1.1 Introduction
Horticulture is the part of agriculture, which deals with the study of growing and marketing of flower, fruits, and vegetables. Horticulture includes cultivation of flower, fruits, and vegetables for sale in the market, etc. The word horticulture is derived from the latin hortus, “garden”, and colere, “to cultivate.” A person who performs the activities of fruits and vegetables growing are known as horticulturist. Vegetables growing is an important part of horticulture.

Presently our county is next to China in area and production of fruits and vegetable crops and has been contributing 10% of fruits and 14% of vegetable of the total world production. Horticulture has become a key driver for economic development of the Sikkim. The government has decided to adopt the policy of growth with sustainability, making horticulture a priority sector for higher income generation to farming community.

1.2 Background of the study
The main purpose of this research process was to see the present status and prospectus of horticulture crops (vegetables) in East Sikkim.
This topic is very important because horticulture is one of the major economic activities of the people of Sikkim. The department of horticulture is deeply involved in motivating and providing technical guidance to local farmers. The important of horticulture in improving land use, generating employment and providing national security to people has increased many folds and realization of the same by cross section of the people has further increased its importance. Therefore, the horticulture has become an important sector in Sikkim.
For this reason the practical work was done by me. From this, I have gained experiences practical and theoretical survey. In today’s world academic education is not enough for a student to increase his confidence level and reach goal without having