The book addresses the gap that exists in sustainable value chain development in the context of developing and emerging economies in meeting the sustainable development goals. The book adopts a holistic approach and discusses significant aspects of the topic such as challenges, opportunities, best practices, technology and innovation, business models, and policy formulation. The chapters focus on all the existing and potential actors in the value chain. Comprising invited chapters from leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and academicians working on this topic, this edited book is useful for scientists, researchers, students, research scholars, and practitioners as it builds the latest interdisciplinary knowledge in the area. An important aspect of the book is the case studies of already ongoing projects from various emerging economies around the world. Contributions are divided into four sections-sustainable food systems and circular economy: tackling resource use, efficiency, food loss, and waste problems; technology and innovation for food value chain development; toward responsible food consumption; linking small farmers to markets: markets, institutions, and trade. Significantly, the book is organized in the context of Sustainable Development Goals and has direct relevance and linkages with SDG 1 (poverty alleviation), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 17 (partnerships).

The genesis of the volume, Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Markers, has been the occasion of the retirement of Professor Sant Saran Bhojwani from the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. For Professor Bhojwani, retirement only means relinquishing the chair as being a researcher and a teacher which has always been a way of life to him. Professor Bhojwani has been an ardent practitioner of modern plant biology and areas like Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding have been close to his heart. The book contains original as well as review articles contributed by his admirers and associates who are experts in their area of research. While planning this contributory book our endeavour has been to incorporate articles that cover the entire gamut of Plant Biotechnology, and also applications of Molecular Markers. Besides articles on in vitro fertilization and micropropagation, there are articles on forest tree improvement through genetic engineering. Considering the importance of conservation of our precious natural wealth, one article deals with cryopreservation of plant material. Chapter on molecular marker considers DNA indexing as markers of clonal fidelity of in vitro regenerated plants and prevention against bio-piracy. A couple of write-ups also cover stage-specific gene markers, DNA polymorphism and genetic engineering, including raising of stress tolerant plants to sustain productivity and help in reclamation of degraded land.