1) Pumpkin originated over 9,000 years ago in Central and South America. India is the second largest producer of pumpkin after China.
2) There are 26 pumpkin species, 5 of which are domesticated including Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) and C. pepo (eaten as an immature fruit).
3) Quality seed production of pumpkin requires growing improved varieties at the proper spacing and fertilization, using manual pollination or insect pollination, applying pest and disease management, and harvesting mature fruits for seed extraction and drying.