PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF ASSAM LEMON IN NALBARI DISTRICT OF ASSAM
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Assam lemon, which is most popularly known as Kaji Nemu in Assamese is
indigenously cultivated and found in the state of Assam. In Assam cuisine of these lemons
constitute an integral part and are used for preparing fresh drinks or beverages and can be
dried or pickled which can be preserved for years.Assam lemon is a native dwarf cultivar of
the state of Assam suitable for high density planting.The scientific name of Assam Lemon is
Citrus limon and it belongs to the Rutaceae family. Assam lemon is enriched in aromatic oil
and vitamin C and also a good source of iron, fiber, copper and calcium. Assam lemon is the
highest grown citrus fruit in the state; it was observed that in the year 2018-19 the total
cultivated area under Assam Lemon was 13802 hectares with a production of 1.19 lakh
metric tonnes and the average yield per annum was 8645 kg/hectare. In this study an attempt
was made to get a clear view on production and marketing aspects of Assam lemon by
analyzing the growth rate of area, production and productivity of Assam lemon in the state,
examine the economic feasibility of Assam lemon cultivation, study the marketing pattern of
Assam lemon and to identify the constraints faced by the farmers.The study examined the
trends and variation of area, production and productivity of Assam lemon in Assam as well
as in Nalbari (undivided) district from 2009-10 to 2018-19.The compound growth rate of
area (1.25*, 9.65***), production (2.53*, 10.82***) and productivity (1.26*, 1.06*) of
Assam lemon showed positive behavior in Assam and Nalbari (undivided) district
respectively. Considerable variability was also observed in case of area (5.75, 27.98),
production (10.85, 30.09) and productivity (5.37, 10.3) of Assam lemon in Assam and
Nalbari (undivided) district respectively. The change in total production was examined by
additive decomposition and it was revealed from the study that yield effect contributed more
to the change in production of Assam lemon in Assam whereas area effect relatively had
stronger stimulus and contributed more to the change in production of Assam lemon in
Nalbari (undivided) district. The study found that farm-category wise the expenditure on
establishment of the crop was highest on medium farms and lowest on marginal farms thus
implying that the total establishment cost incurred increased with increase in farm size.It
was also observed that the total maintenance cost increased with increase in farm size. The
total maintenance cost incurred was highest on medium farms followed by semi-medium
farms, small farms and marginal farms.For overall farms the establishment cost amortized
over 15 years at the rate of 6 per cent per year, average maintenance cost per year, total
cost per year, average gross return per year and net return per year was estimated to be Rs.
4,502.96 per hectare, Rs. 60,075.27 per hectare, Rs. 64,578.23 per hectare, Rs. 2, 27,762 per
hectare and Rs. 1, 63,183.77 per hectare respectively.The benefit cost ratio at 6 per discount
rate, NPV at 6 per cent discount rate and IRR for overall farms worked out to be 3.8, Rs.
12,01,425 and 66.95 per cent respectively thus indicating that Assam lemon cultivation is
economically viable and profitable and has the potential to generate additional revenue.
Three marketing channels were identified in the study area viz, Producer- Pre-harvest
contractor- Wholesaler- Retailer- Consumer, Producer- Wholesaler- Retailer- Consumer and
Producer- Consumer. Through the first marketing channel products were transacted to
distant places and through the second and third channel the products were sold in nearby
markets.It was revealed that marketing channel III (Producer - Consumer) was found to be
more efficient whereas the marketing channel that involved more number of market
intermediaries i.e., channel I (Producer - Pre-harvest contractor – Wholesaler – Retailer -
Consumer) was found to be the most effective in the study area because 65.16 q constituting
55 per cent of the marketed surplus moved through that channel to the distant markets.The
study also revealed that lack of technical know- how, high cost of establishment in the initial
stage, high fluctuation in market prices and small land holding in technical, economical,
storage and marketing and general constraints respectively were the major constraints faced
by the farmers in Assam lemon cultivation. Regular monthly training programmes by KVKs
regarding new technology, development of regulated markets, formation of FPCs, cooperatives,
provision of Government subsidy on essential agricultural inputs, etc., would
help to overcome the obstacles in production and marketing aspects of Assam Lemon
cultivation.