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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS IN SUB-MONTANE LOW HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-10) PUNAM, KUMARI; SHARMA, SUBHASHABSTRACT The present study entitled “Economics of production of medicinal & aromatic plants in Submontane low hills of Himachal Pradesh’’. A sample of 60 farmers cultivating MAPs was selected using simple random sampling. The farmers were categorized according to their total land holding as marginal (<1 ha), small (1-2) and medium (>2) and as overall. The results revealed that area and production of MAPs in India has shown significant increase over the years. The average family size comprised of 5.08 persons in the study area. The literacy rate was found 91.20 per cent with literacy index of 2.70 indicating low quality of education. A majority of farmers (72.40%) of the work force were engaged in agriculture followed by business (12.30%). The cropping intensity was worked out to be 164.21 per cent. The average number of livestock in terms of adult cattle unit was 4.51. The investment on farm implements was `144743.90. The major portion of income (64.79%) was from vegetables whereas income from MAPs contributed 12.16 per cent of the total. The total cost of cultivation for Safed Musli was `69697.00 per hectare. The total cost of cultivation of Aonla from 0-30 years varied from `21158.73 to `61289.78 per 100 plants. The total cost of Madhupatri varied from `85186.98 to `402196.36/ha among different years. The total cost of Ghrit Kumari varied from `57269.28 to `153073.88/ha. The total cost of cultivation of Tejpatta varied from 0-50 years `13315.97 to `29308.14 per 100 plants. Gross and net returns from Safed Musli was `182825.24 and `113128.24/ha respectively. The returns in Aonla started from 5th year onwards gross returns varied from `117000 to `174780.00 among different age groups. The gross and net returns from Madhupatri varied from `128125.00 to `238125.00 and `-274071.36 to `152516.15 among different years. The gross returns and net returns from Ghrit Kumari varied from `60775.10 to `106908.0 and `-92298.78 to `49638.72/ha. The gross returns in Tejpatta varied from `42593.20 to `62397.00. The net returns varied from `-13315.97 to `62397.30. The output ratio in Safed Musli was 2.62. The payback period, BCR, IRR and NPV in Aonla was worked out to be 7 years, 2.07, 31.00 per cent and `678071.92. The payback period BCR, IRR and NPV in Madhupatri worked out to be 4 years, 1.31, 37.00 per cent and `206390.10. The payback period, BCR, IRR and NPV in Ghrit Kumari worked out to be 4 years, 1.17, 30.00 per cent and `55426.25. The payback period, BCR, IRR and NPV in Tejpatta was 14 years, 1.57, 13.00 per cent and `187301.10. It has been observed that with increase in the cost, decrease in returns in future in case of Aonla and Madhupatri does not make the plantation uneconomic whereas Ghrit Kumari and Tejpatta were sensitive to decrease in returns by 5 and 10 per cent. Non- availability of labour at peak operation time, lack of technical knowledge, Inadequate credit facilities, no regular market, lack of inadequate knowledge of correct prices were some of the production and marketing problems reported by the farmers in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF KINNOW IN KANGRA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-10) SHARMA, RAJ RANI; PRASHER, R SThesisItem Open Access IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY IN LOW HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) RANI, SHILPA; PRASHER, R SABSTRACT The present study entitled “Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Agricultural Economy in Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh.A sample of 120 respondents was selected using multistage random sampling. The farmers were selected from Bamson, Nadaun and Bijhari blocks through proportional allocation method. The results of the study revealed that overall average size of family in selected blocks was around 5 persons, out of which 50.43 per cent were males and rest were females in sample households. The overall literacy rate in selected blocks was 81.41 per cent, while it was 82.32 per cent in Bamson, 81.94 per cent in Nadaun and 80.00 per cent in Bijhari. Agriculture was the main occupation as 63.19 per cent of family members were involved in agricultural practices. This proves the fact that majority of households were agriculturists and agriculture was the main source of their livelihood. The average size of the land holding per household was 1.46 ha which included cultivated area (Cereals, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and spices) (40.39%), orchard land (9.97%), forest land (17.64%), current fallow land (9.51%), grassland (6.68%), barren and uncultivable land (6.97%), cultivable waste land (4.28%) and other fallow land (2.55%). The cropping intensity was found highest under Bijhari block (184.58%) followed by Nadaun (178.99%) and Bamson (173.96%). Wheat in Rabi season and Maize in Kharif season were the predominant cereal crops grown by the farmers. On an average, the productivity of Maize was found 22.83 q/ha and of Wheat 11.75 q/ha which was much lower than the state average productivity. The share of on-farm income (69.89%) was found highest in the total household income.Analysis of trends and pattern in rainfall and temperature at district level showed a significant warming trend of 0.0930C/year anddecreasing trend of 0.0990C/year during the period 1987-2017. By analyzing various induced extreme events and seasonal changes over the last 30 years, it was revealed that among the seasons, the farmers opined that summer season had become longer (75.00%) and winter season had reduced (70.00%) than the previous years. Analysis of vulnerability index revealed that Hamirpur district was the most vulnerable and Lahaul-Spiti was the least vulnerable district during 2007. The exposure component played a significant role in ranking Hamirpur district at the first position by contributing to 55.30 per cent, followed by sensitivity (35.69%) and adaptive capacity (9.01%). However, Una district was found most vulnerable district to climate change during 2017. The sensitivity and exposure indicators were found to be the highest contributors towards vulnerability, which accounted for 28.59 per cent and 59.58 per cent. Amongst the blocks, Hamirpur block was found to be the most vulnerable block and Nadaun was the least vulnerable block during 2007.Thesensitivity played an important in ranking Hamirpur block at the first position by contributing to the tune of 43.30 per cent followed by exposure (27.26%) and adaptive capacity (29.44%). However, Bijhari was found to be the most vulnerable block and Bamson was the least vulnerable block during 2017. Study of farmers’ perceptions towards adaptation strategies revealed that majority of farmers were using HYV seeds which were suitable for local climate (93.33%) and strategies like use of improved crop varieties (54.17%) and crop diversification (45.00%) etc. were also adopted by farmers. High cost of adoption, lack of credit facilities, lack of labour, inadequate supply of irrigation water, and lack of knowledge about need based improved agriculture technologies etc. were the major problems in adopting various strategies to cope up with climate change. Majority of experts showed positive response towards various changes and adaptive measures to deal with climate change. They also perceived that agricultural sector was sensitive towards climate change and in case of adaptive strategies; adaptation towards lesser use of chemicals was reported by majority of experts (75.00%). According to experts, awareness towards climate change should be created through extension workers, training programmes/camps related to agriculture at village level.ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE HIGH-HILL WET TEMPERATE ZONE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) RITIKA; SHARMA, SUBHASHABSTRACT Present study “Economic Analysis of Medicinal Plants in the High-Hill Wet Temperate Zone of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in The High Hills Wet Temperate Zone (Zone–III) of Himachal Pradesh comprises of Kullu, L&S and higher ranges of Chamba district by taking representative sample of 60 farmers through simple random sampling to select the ultimate sample of the respondents from the list of farmers procured from National Medicinal Plant Board. The results revealed that the area and production of M&AP’s in India has shown significant increase over the years. There is a very small increase in area under Medicinal plants in H.P. where area under medicinal plants in 2017-18 was 1.12 thousand hectare with the production of 0.91 thousand tons. The average family size in the study area comprised of 6.27 persons. The literacy rate was 85.96 per cent in sampled household while literacy index only 2.49, indicating poor quality of education. A majority of (71.06 %) work force practice farming in the study area followed by service (11.72 %) and business sector (10.26 %). Average number of workers at an overall level was 4.55. Average size of land holding varied from 0.68 hectare in marginal farm category to 3.19 in medium farm category. The average area under medicinal plants in sampled household was 0.14 hectare which ranged between 0.04 hectares in small farm category to 0.26 hectares in medium farm category. The average number of livestock was 4.71 in sampled household. The average investment on the farm implements was Rs. 100516.08 in the study area. Average income from Medicinal plants was Rs. 158191.69 per farm which was 25.02 per cent of the total income of the sampled households at an overall level. The cost of cultivation of Medicinal plants on per farm basis varied from Rs. 79983.23 in marginal farm category to Rs. 339496.68 in medium farm category. The per hectare cost of cultivation of Atish was Rs. 440268.89at an overall level and varied from Rs. 432597.74 in marginal farm category to Rs. 442288.33 in small farm category. Cost of cultivation in sampled household for Kutki was found Rs. 443038.42, for Valeriana Rs. 214388.90, Kuth Rs. 259344.96 and Chirayata Rs. 170711.12 in sampled household. Per hectare gross returns varied from Rs. 242903.00 in Chirayata to Rs. 1031365.08 in Atish. The NPV of Atish was found highest Rs. 460322.91 followed by Kutki Rs. 249285.61, Kuth Rs. 157240.30, Valeriana Rs. 129445.69 and Chirayata Rs. 64305.53. TheB:C Ratio was found for Atish (2.17) followed by Valeriana and Kuth (1.68), Kutki (1.63) and Chirayata (1.43). The highest IRR is observed in case of Atish (88 %) followed by Chirayata (84 %), Kuth (58 %), Valeriana (57 %) and Kutki (56 %). It was found that per hectare production at an overall level was highest for Kuth 1875.35 kg and lowest in Atish. Cost of production was highest for Atish (Rs. 937.60/ kg) and minimum for Chirayata (Rs. 94.33/ kg). Lack of technical knowledge, Invisible market, delayed payment, lack of training and lack of marketing facilities were among the major problems faced by the medicinal plant growers.ThesisItem Open Access COMMON POOL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF CHILGOZA (Pinus gerardiana) IN DISTRICT KINNAUR OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) CHAUHAN, AVANI; SHARMA, RAVINDERABSTRACT The present study entitled “Common Pool Resource Management: A Case Study Chilgoza (Pinus gerardiana) in District Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Pooh and Kalpa blocks of district Kinnaur. Multistage random sampling was used to select 60 respondents collecting chilgoza cones. Results of the study revealed that the average family size at overall farmers’ category was 6 persons per household. The overall literacy rate was 82.94 per cent with literacy index of 2.95 indicating low quality of education. Total land holding was 1.43 hectare out of which the total cultivated area was 0.98 hectares. Cropping intensity was 124.49 per cent in the study area, which indicates that there is scope for increase in farm efficiency. Pinus gerardiana contributed 4 per cent to the total farm income which was highest (5.90%) for marginal farms. Out of the total sample size, 57 respondents had the right of collection of chilgoza cones from CPRs while 52 respondents had chilgoza trees on private lands. In the common land the contract system of cone collection was most preferred as 49.12 per cent of households relied on it. At the overall level 0.58 hectares of private forest and 11 trees of chilgoza on orchard land per household were found. The coefficient of variation for production of chilgoza seeds from common lands was 20.35 and 25.18 per cent during good and poor seed year respectively on an overall level. On the other hand, the coefficient of variation for the production from the private lands was 62.65 per cent for good seed year and 32.67 per cent for poor seed year. The cost of collection of chilgoza cones from common lands was estimated as Rs. 13,221.69 per quintal during good seed year and Rs. 19237.67 per quintal during poor seed year. The cost of collection from the private lands came out to be Rs. 9,027.46 and Rs. 17057.39 per quintal during good and poor seed years respectively. The cost of extraction of chilgoza seeds from the cones was Rs. 1,981.28 during good seed year and Rs. 2505.31 during the poor seed year. The total cost of production for the year 2018 was Rs. 5,779.48 and net revenue was Rs. 27883.69 per household. Four marketing channels were prevalent in the study area for the marketing of chilgoza nuts. Among these, ChannelIV (Producer- Primary wholesaler-Secondary wholesaler-Consumer) was found to be the most preferred channel as 65.25 per cent of the produce was traded through this marketing channel. Producer’s share in consumer rupee was highest (99.06 %) in Channel-I consisting of Producer and Consumer. Marketing efficiency of Channel-I was highest (104.93). Lack of control over the price rate, high wage rate and the tedious process of extraction were some of the collection and marketing problems reported by the farmers in the study area. The main factors responsible for degradation of chilgoza forest were excessive lopping of branches, introduction of developmental projects, less snowfall and deforestation etc.ThesisItem Open Access AN APPRAISAL OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-08) SYNNAH, IBASHONGDOR ZEPHANIAH; SHARMA, RAVINDERABSTRACT The present study entitled “An appraisal of crop diversification in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. The sampling procedure used was Multi-stage random sampling technique. A total of 60 respondents (farmers) were selected at village level. The results of socio-economic analysis showed that the average family size was 6 members per family and dominated by joint family (61.67%) structure. The majority of the members of farm households were engaged in agriculture (47.25%). The cropping intensity was 147.79 per cent at overall level. The growth rates in area, production and productivity were calculated using Compound Annual Growth Rate. Results showed that area under food-grains, pulses, sugarcane and oilseeds showed significant decline in growth rate whereas the area under vegetables, fruits, spices, other food crops and non-food crops increased significantly. The production under food-grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, spices showed significant increase whereas production under sugarcane showed a significant decline. The productivity of pulses and spices showed significant positive growth. The analysis of temporal changes in cropping pattern showed that area under total vegetables and fruits had the highest positive change while the area under pulses registered the highest negative change. The nature of crop diversification was found to be moving away from food-grains and pulses and towards fruits and vegetables. The extent of diversification was measured through Herfindahl-Hirchman index and the results showed that among the five blocks of Solan district, Solan (0.18) and Kandaghat (0.21) blocks were the most diversified with significant growth rates of -1.10 per cent and -1.50 per cent in H.H.I respectively; while Nalagarh block was becoming more specialized, although its growth rate was not significant. Overall, Solan district was diversified in terms of both area and production however, the growth rates in both cases were not significant. The analysis of descriptive statistics showed that maximum variation was explained for dependency ratio (99.36%). Regression analysis of entropy index with socio-economic characteristics of farm using censored tobit model showed that it had significant positive relation with farm size defined on area and gross income proportion and significant negative relation with distance of the farm from the market and gross farm income per ha defined on area proportion. However, there was a significant positive relation between entropy index and dependency ratio, crop yield index and gross farm income per ha on gross income proportion. The major problems faced by farmers in the study area were man-animal conflict, lack of irrigation facilities, erratic rainfall, etc.ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MAJOR VEGETABLE CULTIVATION IN TRIBAL AREA OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-08) NEGI, PRIYANKA; VAIDYA, MANOJ KUMARABSTRACT The present study entitled “Economic Analysis of Vegetable Cultivation in Tribal Area of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Kalpa and Nichar blocks of district Kinnaur on the basis of highest area under vegetable cultivation. The multi-stage random sampling procedure was adopted to select the respondents. Compound annual growth rate was used to analyse the trend in vegetable cultivation and various cost concepts were used in order to calculate the benefits realized from vegetable cultivation. The results of the study indicate that about 71.59 per cent of the surveyed people were engaged in agriculture. The major vegetable crops grown were pea, both kharif and rabi, cabbage and beans. The cropping intensity in the study area was in the range of 127.16 to 148.08 falling under medium to marginal farm category respectively. The overall cost of cultivation was worked out for three major crops and it was found highest in kharif pea (Rs269972.40/ha) followed by rabi pea (Rs246483.73/ha), cabbage (Rs148739.49/ha) and then beans (Rs 136288.23/ha). The net returns was found highest in kharif pea (Rs 277046.95), despite the high cost incurred in its cultivation, since it is an off season crop and then it is followed by beans (Rs 133130.31), cabbage (Rs 107414.17) and rabi pea (Rs. 96291.58). The Cob-Douglas production function determines the efficiency of each resource used and it showed that labour, FYM, plant protection and seed had significant impact on pea production where as labour had negative effect on rabi pea because of over utilization of labour. Efficiency ratio for the significant variables in all the vegetables was greater than unity, except efficiency ratio for labour in case of rabi pea and FYM in beans. It is thus, concluded from the analysis that the vegetable growers in the study area were not using the resources efficiently. In order to attain maximum return growers should increase the use of all the inputs. Four main marketing channels were found prevalent in the study area for marketing of vegetables. Among these channels, channel-C consisting of Producer- local trader- wholesaler- retailer- consumer was found to be the most preferred channel as more than 50 per cent of the produce was disposed off through this channel. Problems like non-availability of labour at operation time, high wage rates, non-remunerative prices for the produce, high transportation charges, limited market information and lack of storage facility were the major production and marketing problems reported by the farmers in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MIGRATORY BEEKEEPING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-06) KHANNA, SPARDHA; SHARMA, RAVINDERABSTRACT The economic analysis of migratory beekeeping in Himachal Pradesh was carried out by taking representative sample of 61 beekeepers.Socioeconomic analysis revealed that majority of the beekeepers was educated up to matric level and were in the age group of 30- 50 years. Most of beekeepers were experienced and had more than 12 years’ experience in beekeeping. More than 60 per cent of the beekeepers used modern method of beekeeping in the study area. In regression analysis factors like number of bee colonies and age were found significant showing a positive relationship with honey production, whereas a negative relationship was found with literacy rate and honey production The average investment of beekeepers in the study area was Rs268007.30 for 122 bee colonies.Group wise cost analysis of the beekeepers revealed that 90 per cent of the total cost is the variable cost which includes cost of labour, Comb foundation Sheets, sugar for feeding , chemicals for disease control, transportation charges for migration and other miscellaneous expenditures. The share of explicit costs was only 8 per cent. The fixed cost which constituted about 8.84 per cent included value of depreciation and interest on fixed capital. Study further showed average cost per colony varied between Rs257.64 to Rs489.50 with an average of Rs 411.50 in the study area.The net returns from 100 colonies in the study area varied from Rs166997 to Rs 275351 on the different groups with an average of Rs 188285.The payback period was found to be 5 years at overall level which means that the beekeepers would get back the initial investment made during the establishment period at 5 year of the beekeeping. The group-wise payback period varied between 4 to 6 years in the study area. Group-wise net present value of beekeeping at 6 per cent discount rate was found to be `Rs976713 at overall level in the study area. The benefit cost ratio at 6per cent discount rate was estimated at 1.35 which means that the beekeeper would earn `Rs1.4 for each rupee t invested in beekeeping. The Internal rate of return from beekeeping was found to be 35.67 per cent which was higher than the opportunity cost of capital. Thus, all the four criterions revealed that investment in beekeeping was highly remunerative and a profitable economic activity in the study area. Sensitivity analysis also revealed the same trends in the study area i.e.a 5 to 10 per cent increase in cost or decrease in returns resulted in positive value of internal rate of return (IRR) which varied from 25.25 to 30.86 per cent which was found higher than the opportunity cost of the capital. The NPV was also found positive andvaried from Rs835665.66 and Rs 694618.13.The lack of facilities for migration was the major (62.30%) was the major problem followed by lack of local markets (57.38%).Among management of bee colonies beekeepers reported the loss of honey bees due to the attack of various enemies, viz., wasp, wax moth, , European foul brood, Varroa mite, Bee eating birds and bear and LizarThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF GINGER IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: A CASE STUDY OF SIRMOUR DISTRICT(UHF, NAUNI, 2018-09) SHARMA, SUNIDHI; VAIDYA, MANOJ KUMARABSTRACT The present study entitled “Economic Analysis of Production and Marketing of Ginger in Himachal Pradesh: A case study of Sirmour District” was carried out in Sangrah and Paonta Sahib blocks of district Sirmour. A sample of 60 farmers cultivating ginger was selected using multistage random sampling. The farmers were categorized on the basis of their total land holding as marginal (<1 ha), small (1-2 ha), medium (>2 ha). Results of the study revealed that average family size at overall farmers’ category was 5.36 persons per household. There were 894 females per thousand of males in the study area. The overall literacy rate was 87.18 per cent with literacy index of 2.23 indicating low quality of education. 81.76 per cent of the population were engaged in agriculture in the study area. Total cultivated area was 0.68 hectare out of which 0.34 hectare area was under ginger cultivation. Cropping intensity was worked out to be 180.88 per cent in the study area. At overall level the total income per farm was estimated to Rs. 470853.87 and ginger contributed 40.15 per cent to total household income. Cost of cultivation varied from Rs. 224254.91 to Rs. 239158.68 per hectare among different farm categories in the study area. Average gross returns from ginger were Rs. 552063.08 per hectare and Output-input ratio was found to be 2.37 at overall level. The CobbDouglas production function in case of overall farms shows that seed, fertilizers and labour were significant at 1 per cent level of significance and FYM was significant at 10 per cent level of significance. MVP to MFC ratio in case of seed, FYM, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and labour was greater than unity which indicates under utilization of these resources. Three marketing channels were prevalent in the study area for the marketing of green ginger. Among these, Channel A consisting Producer-Local trader-Primary wholesaler-Secondary wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer was found to be the most preferred channel as 59.57 per cent of the produce was traded through this marketing channel. Producer’s share in consumer rupee was highest in Channel C consisting Producer-Wholesaler-Retailer-consumer (75.67%). Marketing efficiency of channel C was highest (3.11). Problem of diseases, high cost of rhizome, lack of technical knowledge, lack of market intelligence, wide price fluctuations and delayed payment were some of the production and marketing problems reported by the farmers in the study area