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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 Crop diversification : A case study of Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh(College of Horticulture and Forestry Dr YSP UHF, Neri, Hamirpur(H.P.), 2024-02-27) Akanksha; Negi, ChamanThe study analyzed the crop diversification: A case study of bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. A stratified multistage random sampling design was used to select a sample of 80 respondents from two different developmental blocks. The selected samples were further classified as marginal (<1 ha), small (1-2 ha) and large (>2 ha) category farmers on the basis of their land holdings. The result of the study revealed that the total cropped area under vegetable crops in kharif season was 25.23 per cent and rabi season 23.28 per cent. During Kharif season, tomato occupied the highest cultivation area i.e. 4.00 per cent followed by cucumber 2.46 percent and okra 2.46 per cent whereas, the highest area during rabi season i.e.5.53 per under cauliflower followed by pea 4.00 per cent and onion 0.92 per cent, respectively. Per hectare total cost of cultivation and gross returns were highest in case of tomato i.e. ₹112568.15 and ₹686747.70 respectively. The maximum employment was generated by the farm activities were 75.99 per cent followed by non-farm activities 24.01 per cent and employment generated through vegetable production was 45.05 per cent, services about 19.26 percent and 4.75 percent from MGNREGA. Different variables like operational holding, experience in farming, education, family size etc. Were regressed upon to determine the degree of diversification as determined by the Herfindahl and Entropy indices of diversification. The study was analysed and found that production and productivity increased after diversification and provided employment and income of all categories of farmers. Some of the problems identified in the study area were lack of awareness programmes, high transportation cost, difficulties in loan processing, non-availability of credit in time, non-availability of fertilizers in time and shortage of skilled labour. Whereas, lack of technical inputs were the major problems faced by the farmers. These issues need to be addressed through government intervention to encourage farmer of the study area towards crop diversification to increase their livelihood.ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF DAIRY FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN HAMIRPUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF Nauni, 2023-12-23) ADITI SHARMA; Dr. ShilpaPresent study analyzed the “Economic impact of Climate Change on the livelihood status of dairy farm households in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh” during the year 2022-23. Multistage random sampling technique was used for the selection of the respondents from the randomly selected four blocks named Bijhari, Nadaun, Hamirpur and Sujanpur out of 6 blocks. Then 3 panchayats from each selected block were selected randomly and 10 dairy farming households from each selected panchayat were selected randomly to constitute a sample size of 120 for the collection of the primary data. All dairy producers were divided into three categories for the purpose of data analysis: small category (1- 3 SAUs), medium category (4-6 SAUs), and large category (>6 SAUs). Farmers are reported to have an average size of 5.23 members with a literacy rate of 90.33 per cent and literacy index of 2.75 in accordance with socioeconomic data. The dependency ratios for family were 0.25. Total land holding was 1.10 hectares out of which 83.91 per cent was cultivated land covering the maximum portion. In the study area, a crop intensity of 172.03 per cent was found. The average number of cattle units was 4.74, of which 5.72, 12.09, 50.29, 26.28, and 5.21 percent were local cows, crossbred cows, buffalo, young stock, and heifers, respectively. The impact of climatic change on dairy farm households is calculated using secondary data acquired through the Indian Meteorological Department, Shimla for the 50 years 1981–2021. The Ricardian results demonstrated that the climate change has consequences on dairy farm households in the Hamirpur district and that there is analysis shows a nonlinear relationship among climate change and net revenue. Results shows that with the increase in maximum temperature net revenue was decreased while increase in minimum temperature and annual rainfall net revenue was increased. The marginal effects of climate variations on the net revenue of dairy households are assessed and showed that the net revenue was dropped by Rs. 39.15 and rise by Rs. 4.44 per day for every 1°C increase in minimum temperature and 1°C reduction in maximum temperature, respectively while the marginal revenue from annual rainfall was Rs. 0.20 which was very negligible. The Binary Logistic Regression model was used to examine farmer’s choices about the deployment of adaptation measures for climate risk. The findings suggested that a farmer's decision to adapt to climate change was influenced by socioeconomic factors such as farm income and farming experience. The most serious problem in the study area was lack of improved fodder crops (63.78%) and least problem was lack of dairy cooperatives (33.06%).In order to adapt with climate change suitable adaptation practices should be followed like improving feed practices and use of well acclimatised breeds and following the crop livestock diversification methodThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF DAIRY FARMERS IN MANDI DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF Nauni, 2023-12-23) JAHANVI SAINI; ShilpaThe current research examined the “Economic impact of Climate Change on the livelihood status of dairy farm households in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh” during the year 2022-23. The study employed a multistage random sampling method to choose participants from four randomly chosen blocks, namely Balh, Sundernagar, Dhanotu, and Gohar, out of a total of six blocks. Subsequently, three panchayats were randomly selected from each of these chosen blocks, and ten dairy farming households were randomly selected from each of these villages, resulting in a sample size of 120 for gathering primary data. To facilitate data analysis, all dairy producers were categorized into three groups: small category (1-3 SAUs), medium category (4-6 SAUs), and large category (>6 SAUs). According to the socioeconomic data, the farmers in the region were found to have an average family size of 5.13 members, an 89.21 per cent literacy rate, and a literacy index of 2.73. The dependency ratios for both family members and all workers were 0.41. The majority, 87.92 per cent, of the total landholding consisted of cultivated land. The study area exhibited a crop intensity of 161.33 per cent. On average, there were 5.03 cattle units per household, comprising 4.80 per cent local cows, 41.01 per cent crossbred cows, 33.75 per cent buffalo, 13.21 per cent young stock, and 7.23 per cent heifers. This study looked at how climate change affects dairy farm households in Mandi district by using weather data from 1981 to 2021 provided by the Indian Meteorological Department in Shimla. The results showed that climate change has an impact on these households, and there is a nonlinear relationship among climate change and net revenue. When maximum temperatures rise, it reduces the income of dairy farms, but when minimum temperatures and annual rainfall increase, it can boost their income. To explain it further, for every 1ᵒC increase in minimum temperature and 1ᵒC decrease in maximum temperature, dairy farm income could drop by Rs. 40.44 and increase by Rs. 3.40 per day, respectively. The study also used a Binary Logistic Regression model to figure out why some farmers choose to adapt to climate change while others don't. It found that factor like farm income and their experience in farming influence their decision to adapt. In the study area, the biggest problem faced by dairy farmers was a lack of better fodder crops (64.82%), and the least concerning issue was a shortage of veterinary facilities (34.27%). In order to adapt with climate change suitable adaptation practices should be followed like improving feed practices and use of well acclimatized breeds and following the crop livestock diversification method.ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF NATURAL FARMING IN BILASPUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2023-09-30) NIDHI; SUBHASH SHARMAABSTRACT For the present study entitled “Economic Analysis of Natural Farming in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh” a sample of 100 farmers practicing natural farming was selected from Bilaspur Sadar and Ghumarwin develpomental blocks using multistage random sampling technique. The study revealed that literacy rate was 94.44 per cent in males and 83.29 per cent in females whereas literacy index was 2.91 in males and 2.75 in females indicating that majority of farmers were educated but quality of education was poor. The average land holding was 1.15 ha out of which area under natural farming was 0.54 ha. Under natural farming major crop combinations adopted by farmers in Kharif season were Cereal-Vegetable-Pulse (0.22ha) followed by Cereal-Vegetables (0.10 ha), Vegetables (0.08 ha), Cereal-Vegetable-Oilseed crop (0.07 ha), and Cereal- Pulses (0.07 ha). In Rabi season, Cereal-Pulses (0.14 ha) followed by Cereal-Vegetables (0.11 ha), Cereal- Vegetable-Oilseed crop (0.10ha), Vegetables (0.05 ha), and Cereal-Vegetable-Pulse (0.04ha). The cost of cultivation under natural farming for Cereal-Vegetable-Pulse, Cereal-Vegetable-Oilseed crop, Cereal-Pulses, Cereal-Vegetables and Vegetables was Rs. 50,632.88/ha, Rs. 51,862.59/ha, 44,493.13/ha, 51,723.61/ha and Rs.53,110.65/ha in Kharif season and Rs. 52,880.79/ha, Rs. 51,811.02/ha, Rs. 46,889.45/ha, Rs. 45,028.03/ha and Rs. 47,374.74/ha in Rabi season, respectively. Yield under natural farming system is more in all crop combinations except Vegetables in both cropping seasons and in Cereal-Vegetable-Oil seed crop in Rabi season. The percentage increase in yield under natural farming over conventional farming system varied from 5.12 per cent to 15.81 per cent in Kharif season and 1.09 per cent to 4.08 per cent in Rabi season. The net returns were more in all crop combinations under natural farming as compared to conventional farming. The percentage increase in relative economic efficiency under natural farming over conventional farming ranged from 10.78 to 56.34 per cent in Kharif season and to 0.05 to 73.23 per cent in Rabi season. The output-input ratio was also higher under natural farming as compared to conventional farming system. The complete SPNF model was adopted by 54 per cent of the sampled farmers. Increased soil fertility, reduced pest attack, health benefits and increased net returns were the factors responsible for the adoption of natural farming. Non remunerative prices for the produce followed by non availability of specialized market, high wage rates, and labour intensive farming were the major problems reported by the farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Production and Marketing of Persimmon in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh: An economic analysis(College of Horticulture and Forestry Dr YSP UHF, Neri, Hamirpur(H.P.), 2023-04-12) Vaibhav; Chaman NegiThe study on production and marketing of persimmon in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh was conducted with a sample of 60 farmers selected from the two blocks of Kullu district i.e. Kullu and Nagger. The study revealed that overall literacy rate in the study area was found 85.76 per cent and literacy index was 2.99. The average land holding size was 0.95 hectares. The overall establishment cost of persimmon was ₹ 39571.69. The maintenance cost from first year to third year was ₹ 30619.42, ₹ 34231.99 and ₹ 38672.11. The maintenance cost during bearing stage per hundred plants was ₹ 46199.95, ₹ 48464.50and ₹ 51303.64 from 4-12, 13-20 and >20 year respectively. The net present value (NPV) was ₹ 498116.43. The benefit: cost ratio was estimated to 2.58 and the total internal rate of return (IRR) was 42 per cent. These measures clearly indicated that persimmon cultivation in the study area was a profitable. Three important marketing channels were identified in study area for marketing of persimmon crop; channel –A (Producer →Retailer →Consumer), channel-B (Producer →Wholesaler →Retailer →Consumer) and channel-C (Producer→Pre-harvest contractor →Wholesaler →Retailer →Consumer). Among these channel-C was found to be the most preferred marketing channel as 46.78 per cent of the produce was traded through this channel. The producer share in consumer rupees was 84.59 per cent in channel-A followed by channel- B 72.75 percent and channel-C 67.14 per cent. The maximum net price obtained by the producer in channel-B (₹ 7054.14) and the minimum price obtained by the producer in channel-A (₹ 6612.60). The market efficiency was highest in channel A (5.48) followed by channels B (3.10) and C (2.44).The constraints faced by the persimmon grower were perennial supply of irrigation water, higher wage rates, non-availability of healthy planting material, no storage facility and market so far.ThesisItem Open Access Production and marketing of white button mushroom in low hills of Himachal Pradesh : An economic analysis(College of Horticulture and Forestry Dr YSP UHF, Neri, Hamirpur(H.P.), 2023-01-30) Sharma, Himanshu; Negi, ChamanThe present study was conducted in Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh with 60 mushroom growers selected from two blocks from each districts and categorized them as small, medium and large size growers based on number of bags they put in production. The study revealed that average sex ratio of t he study area was 990. The overall literacy rate was estimated to be 92.88 per cent with a literacy index of 3.28. The average landholding of the farmers was 0.75 hectares with crop intensity of 182.35 per cent. On an average, mushroom house estimated about 47.68 per cent of the investment on farm implements and assets on sampled farms. Per 100 bags cost of cultivation of mushroom was estimated Rs 22032.80, Rs 18613.61 and Rs 17238.25 for small, medium and large farm categories respectively. Net returns per 100 bags were turned out to be Rs 5122.68, Rs 7861.76 and Rs 9367.39 for small, medium and large farms respectively. Per 100 bags break-even output for small, medium and large farms were estimated around 100.03 kg, 61.35 kg and 73.09 kg respectively. The overall Benefit-Cost ratio was estimated to be 1 .35.Three channels were identified which were used by farmers in study area to move the produce from grower to consumer. Channel A (Producer → Consumer), Channel B (Producer →Retailer→Consumer) and Channel C (Producer→Wholesaler→Retailer →Consumer). Channel B is the most favoured channel as 56.83 per cent of t he produce moved through this channel. Marketing efficiency was found most in Channel A (9.00) followed by Channel B (8.55) and Channel C (3.97). Major problems and constraints faced by mushroom growers were incidence of disease, incidence of insect and pest attack, lack of market information, high transportation cost, lack of extension facility, difficulty in loan processing, wastage, lack of awareness and non availability of compost bag in the study area. It is suggested by the farmers that there is an emergent need to enhance mushroom growers knowledge about latest techniques of mushroom marketing. Frequent visits by the expert should be extended to check the prevalence of the diseases and insect attack and give correct solutions. Proper facilities should be there to provide credit to the farmers at lower interest rate.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF KVK ON FARM INCOME IN SHIMLA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2023-09-19) MONIKA SHARMA; CHANDRESH GULERIAABSTRACT The present study entitled “Impact of KVK on farm income in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted in the Shimla district of the state. A sample of 100 farmers out of which 50 were beneficiary and 50 were non beneficiary were selected using multistage random sampling technique. The majority of households were nuclear families, with nonbeneficiaries representing the highest percentage (68.00%). Fruit farming, particularly apple orchards, was more popular in the study area. The sampled families' literacy status revealed that beneficiaries had the greatest literacy rate (86.78%) compared to non-beneficiaries (82.26%). The area under orchard was determined to be 1.75 hectares and 76.43 percent of the total area with beneficiaries having the largest area (1.82 ha) and non-beneficiaries having the smallest (1.68 ha). The total share of bearing apple plants was 86.43 per cent of the total plantation, in which beneficiaries (87.57%) had highest share than non-beneficiaries (85.29%). The contribution of income generated from apple farming was found to be maximum Rs. 25,98,365.00 i.e., 97.63 per cent, with beneficiaries had maximum apple income Rs. 26,96,540.00 than non-beneficiaries. Apple production and returns were also higher for beneficiaries. The study further analyzed cost, yield, gross returns, and net returns for pea and bean cultivation. Both crops showed positive returns, with beneficiaries having an advantage due to their higher efficiency and support from KVK. The output-input ratio was favorable for both crops. Efficiency analysis indicated that beneficiary farmers were more efficient in terms of resource allocation and utilization, particularly when supported by KVK services. The study also found significant factors influencing the adoption of technologies disseminated by KVK, such as yield, family size, and the usage of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals.ThesisItem Open Access MARKET INTEGRATION AND PRICE VOLATILITY OF GARLIC IN SELECTED MARKETS(UHF,NAUNI, 2023-09-22) APRAJITA THAKUR; CHANDRESH GULERIAABSTRACT “Market Integration and Price Volatility of Garlic in selected markets” was conducted during 2022-23. The study was under taken in Himachal Pradesh and nearby garlic markets of North-India . Solan, Ludhiana, and Kullu(Bhuntar), were selected as producer market where as Mandi (Dhanotu), Chandigarh(fruit and vegetable wholesale market), Ambala and Delhi(Azadpur) were selected as consumer market . The study was conducted on secondary data for a time period of sixteen years(2007-2022).The data for the study was collected from AGMARKNET, APMC records and other various market data websites. The analysis of price behavior was performed with the help of trend analysis, Compound annual growth rate, variability analysis using Cuddy- Della Valle index and seasonality analysis. Market integration among the selected markets was examined using Correlation analysis and various advanced econometric techniques like Johansen’s co integration, VAR based Vector Error Correction model, Granger causality test, Impulse response function and ARCH model for volatility. The analysis displayed that highest mean prices were shown by Kullu(Rs.5928.74/qtl) and highest mean arrivals were shown by Delhi (121.2 M.T). Arrivals showed more variability in comparison to prices in selected markets .All the selected markets of garlic showed positive linear growth in prices whereas in case of arrivals significant growth was observed in Solan ,Mandi, Chandigarh, Delhi,and Ambala. In selected markets positive monthly growth rate was observed in prices during the month of December ,January and February , which are the offseason months for arrivals for garlic market. The variavility analysis revealed that arrivals of all the markets showed higher value of variability in comparison to prices in the respective markets. January showed highest variability in mean prices. January showed highest mean prices in all the markets except for Amabla which showed highest mean value in December. In all the market prices showed higher value of seasonal indices in the month of January. A high degree of correlation was observed between Solan and Kullu market(0.83). All the selected markets were stationary at level. Johansen co integration tests showed existence of seven co integration equations among the selected markets which revealed high degree of co integration. Among the selected markets , the market prices speed for adjustment of equilibrium was analysed using VECM,which was highest in Chandigarh i.e 57 per cent .One or two lagged month prices of Chandigarh affected all the markets. Ganger casualty model showed a bidirection causal relationship between Chandigarh- Solan, Chandigarh,-Mandi, Chandigarh-Kullu. Impulse response function revealed response of selected markets after one unit deviation shock in key market. It was revealed that prices started to stabilize after six to seven months. Through Arch model, it was revealed that Chandigarh prices showed high volatility.ThesisItem Open Access Socio- Economic Analysis of Agroforestry System in Hamirpur District(College of Horticulture and Forestry Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.), 2022-12-19) Sharma, Kritika; Negi, ChamanIn the present study entitled "Socio- Economic Analysis of Agroforestry System in Hamirpur District" multistage random sampling technique was used for selection of sampled household from randomly selected Hamirpur and Nadaun blocks in Hamirpur district. Sample of 60 households was drawn and were divided into marginal (2ha) farm categories. However, four agroforestry systems were identified in the category as marginal, small and medium farms. These systems are listed as: Agri Silviculture (AS), Agri Silvipastrol (ASP), Silvipastrol (SP) and Agri Hortisilviculture (AHS). Sex ratio was found 951 of sampled households. Literacy rate was found 90.72 percent for male and 88.00 percent for female of sampled households. Agriculture was main occupation of 82.20 percent workers. Average holding size of farmers was 4.72 ha and the share of cultivated land varied between 33.74 per cent (marginal farms) to 41.25 percent (medium farms). Wheat and maize was major cereal crops grown in the study area. At overall level cropping intensity was 188.55 percent. Average livestock holding of farmers was 3.70 Adult Cattle Units. Land equivalent ratio was found to be 1.64 at overall level. The net income from the cultivation of agriculture crops maize, wheat and mustard was Rs7167, Rs 8909 and Rs 7061 per hectare under sole cropping. The net income from agriculture crops maize, wheat and mustard with Toona cilaita (Agrisilviculture system) was Rs108335, Rs 118676 and Rs 120521 per hectare. The net income obtained from Silvipastroal system was Rs175987 per hectare. The net income obtained from Agri Silvipastroal system was Rs 106196 per hectare. The net income obtained from Agri Hortisilviculture system was Rs 97036 per hectare. Agroforestry was contributing maximum (62.69%) to the total farm income followed by agriculture (20.84%), livestock (6.73%) and horticulture (9.74%). The financial analysis for agriculture farming was unprofitable as compared to agroforestry systems measured with high annuity value. Poor market accessibility, lack of awareness, knowledge among people, non-availability of credit for agroforestry purpose and wildlife problems was related to agroforestry in study area.