This paper evaluates the performance of the high-density apple plantation scheme, launched in 2016 in Jammu & Kashmir, India to boost both productivity and production of apples, amidst the stagnancy witnessed in the sector. Primary data was collected from apple farmers in two districts, Kulgam and Pulwama. The qualitative techniques were used to estimate the yield, establishment cost, and break-even year of the different orchard densities. Multiple Regression Analysis and multivariate statistical techniques were used for yield-forecasting and estimation of Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return respectively. The results show that the yield has increased by two-five times than the traditional orchards. Break-even year for different densities without government was found to be 6-years while with government support it went down to just 4-5 years. Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return, further substantiate high-profitability and early returns in these orchards. Further, it was concluded that the government subsidy provides significant support to the farmers in two main densities -2200trees/hectare and 3300trees/hectare. Thus, the government should broaden the scheme and make it more inclusive for the overall development of the sector. Contribution/ OriginalityThe study provides a foundational pathway to research regarding the economic analysis of high-density orchards in Jammu & Kashmir. It is the first study that deals extensively with the present and prospects of the high-density orchards in the region. The results of the paper suggest that the government should be more inclusive and provide due support to the farmers for establishing these highly profitable orchards.
This paper intends to study that the current post-harvest management of apple industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Apple contributes 60-65 percent to the total horticultural crop production in Jammu & Kashmir from an acreage of over 50 percent. In terms of value of output, 70 percent of the total value of output in horticulture comes from apple alone. Secondary Data from National Horticulture Board, Directorate of Horticulture, Jammu & Kashmir was used to highlight the problems which hinder the horticulture sector to reach to its potential. The paper found that that poor harvesting technique, poor marketing intelligence, inadequate storage facilities, lack of technological development and insufficient and inefficient marketing infrastructure are major hindrances in apple industry in the region. Further, there are no CA (Controlled Atmosphere) facilities in some of major horticulture producing districts of the region and the quantity of the produce stored in these CA facilities does not suffice the need of the market. Annually there is aggregate loss of 23000crores of horticultural crops during post-harvest management like transportation, delays due to high intermediaries. Due to poor storage and infrastructure facilities, the producer attempts to dispose-off the produce quickly in the shortest possible time. This negates his capacity to hold the stock for better prices during off-season and leads to a natural slump in the market prices. Poor marketing intelligence among the farmers and lack of proper grading and sorting at the harvesting stage affects the marketing of the quality apple from the region. This overall impact the farmers' remuneration. Extended storage facilities in the potential areas at the block level or district level, proper training to the farmers for grading and sorting during harvesting may prove beneficial to the sector.
Value chain encompasses full range of activities from the production, distribution, processing, transporting and value addition, finally to the end consumer. Value chain analysis enables us to understand the various players involved, various activities which add value to the product and also the efficacy of the chain. In Horticultural sector in India, value chain analysis provides us an opportunity to map the chain, locate the actors involved as well as understand the different challenges in the movement of the product from the producers to the consumers. The agri-climatic diversity of India presents varied opportunities in terms of production as well as distribution of the horticultural crops. We tried to analyze three main regions, North West Himalayan region which comprises of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, North East Region comprising of Assam, Sikkim and six other sister states and Performer states whose area under horticulture and production of horticulture is significant. Based on the current production, area and productivity we analyzed the area and the value chain in each of the region. While the production among the big Performer states was significant for the total horticultural sector, there were issues in the value chain efficiency. Like the fertilizer and pesticide use was unscientific, credit supplies to the farmer wasn't also effective. High perishability and lower marketing infrastructural capacity affected the overall progress of the sector in the region. In the North West and North East Himalayan States, poor connectivity, high terrain and low infrastructural development of the markets were the common obstacles for the growth and development of the sector. In the North East region contributing 4.5% of the horticultural produce, the Jhum Cultivation and lack of technological development have proven to be major roadblocks in the sector. Lack of marketing opportunities, inadequate processing centers at the primary and secondary centers impact the value of the produce. This lowers down the total remuneration accrued to the farmers. Proper infrastructural development like road connectivity, communication networking and adequate agricultural information dissemination at regular intervals is critical for better productivity and production of the horticultural crops in the region. Overall, value chain analysis helps us understand to the problems at each level of the production, value addition and transportation. With diverse agri-climatic regions, we have different challenges which need a bottom-up regional approach for effective development. This is in consonance with the recent launch of "One District, One Product" of Horticulture in the recent Budget, 2020-21.
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