Horticulture is a sub-sector of agriculture which plays significant role in economy, human nutrition, gender mainstreaming and employment. Horticultural commodities include fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and condiments, which have grown steadily and turn into a major segment in agricultural trade. The horticulture research in the state has been in progress since the inception of department of agriculture in the year 1902. The section was part of Jaywantrao Bhosale Krishna College of Agriculture, Rethare Bk. Tal Karad Dist Satara which was established in 2003.
In view of constant demand from growers for advanced technical knowledge in the field of horticulture, a separate section was established with Dr. G.S. Cheema as the first horticulturist to the government of Maharashtra in the year 1921. Initially, the subject was offered for UG courses as one of major subjects in the B.Sc Agriculture curriculum.
A lecture hall and three practical laboratories of the section are well equipped and other instruments where practical and lectures for students are being conducted. A laboratory is well equipped with Crown corking machine, Foil sealer machine, Dehydrator, Pulper (fruit), Digital Hand Refractometer, Muffle furnace, Homogenizer, Oven, Drier, fruit penetrometer, Masala Grinder etc laboratory equipment's A well-equipped processing laboratory developed with a license from FSSAI is used for the UG students practicals on post-harvest management and value addition of fruits and vegetables. For ELM on Post Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops as well as for commercial Horticulture and vegetable products in the market.
Horticulture section has 20.00 ha. land at shere farm campus of which 11 ha. Land is under cultivation. Fruit orchards of Mango, Sapota, Guava, Coconut, Banana, custard apple, Aonla, Fig, Lemon and Tamarind etc. have been established which is used for fruit production as well as mother orchards for plant propagation. This section acted as major propagation unit to provide the planting material of mango, lime, etc fruits as well as ornamental. On the Shere farm area, many forest trees species have been planted by taking trenches across the slopes. The main building of the college has been beautified by establishing garden around it.
