Economic Analysis of Exotic Vegetable Production in Lahaul & Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh
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Date
2021-11-30
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Palampur
Abstract
Exotic vegetable cultivation has gained considerable pace in the state in recent years due to the
possibilities of higher returns and considerably shorter growing period. Therefore, the present study was carried
out to work out economics of exotic vegetables cultivation in Lahaul valley of Lahaul & Spiti district in the
state. The study was based on primary data collected through survey method from 60 farmers selected using
proportional allocation technique from 10 randomly selected villages spread in the valley. Among the exotic
vegetables, lettuce and broccoli accounted for 46.92 per cent of total cropped area. The cropping intensity in the
study area was estimated to be 125 per cent. Among different cultural operations harvesting and weeding
collectively accounted for 58 to 59 per cent of total labour employed in production of both these vegetables. The
farmers were applying about 1350 kg/ha and 1169 kg/ha of total fertilizers in broccoli and lettuce, respectively.
The total cost of production was estimated to be Rs 215315/ha and 299183/ha in lettuce and broccoli,
respectively. As per the CACP costs concepts total cost or cost C3 was found to be Rs 544575/ha and Rs
669885/ha for lettuce and broccoli, respectively. The net returns over total cost were recorded to be Rs
1825811/ha for broccoli and Rs 565935/ha for lettuce. The net returns per farm were maximum from broccoli
(Rs 438196) than that from lettuce (Rs 209396). The output-input ratio was found to be 7.10 for broccoli and
3.62 in case of lettuce. The regression analysis showed that area and total labour were the important factors
affecting the output of these crops. The total marketed surplus of sample farm households was estimated to be
about 6030 q and 2209 q for lettuce and broccoli, respectively. In comparison of lettuce farmers, proportionally
more number of farmers were found to be practicing grading in broccoli because of the traders’ quality
regulation. It was found that in the study area two marketing channels i.e. channel-I consisting of producertrader-retailer-consumer and channel-II consisting of producer-contractor-cum-trader-retailer-consumer were
patronized by the growers for marketing of these vegetables. The results revealed that greater number of farmers
followed channel-I, through which about 3145 quintal and 1515 quintal of broccoli and lettuce was marketed.
The lack of quality seeds/planting material, availability of hired labour, lack of knowledge about insects and
how to control them, not enough support in the form of subsidies, market availability and wild animals threat to
the crops were found to be the major production and marketing problems confronted by farmers of study area.