Cost of Production of Citrus Fruits in Himachal Pradesh (Kinnow, Malta, Sangtra, Galgal and Lime), 2007 by Ranveer Singh, C.S. Vaidya and Suresh Kumar
Abstract: Fruits cultivation plays an important role in the economy of the state. Besides nutritional advantages, the production of fruit crops is the only vocation through which higher income can be generated. Earlier emphasis were laid to the production of apple and stone fruits in the state, but now equal emphasis is being given on citrus and other sub-tropical fruits suited to mid-hills and low-hill areas of Himachal Pradesh. The area under fruit crops has increased from 176206 hectares to 191668 hectares during 2002-03 to 2005-06 and out of which apple occupies 46.20 per cent followed by stone fruits (19.45%) and citrus (10.81%). Thus besides apple and stone fruits, citrus is of great importance to push up the per capita income and hence living standard of people of low-hill areas.
Keeping in view the importance of citrus fruit state government started Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) so that citrus prices can be stabilized. With this back ground the present study on cost of production of citrus fruits has been conducted in Himachal Pradesh. The study reveals that the average per kg cost of production of Kinnow is Rs 3.62, Malta/Sangtra Rs 4.36, Galgal Rs2.84 and Kagzi Lime Rs 6.17. The bulk line cost of production of Kinnow, Malta/Sangtra, Galgal and Kagzi Lime is Rs3.60, Rs 4.32, 2.83 and Rs 6.14 per kg, respectively. The sampled orchardists reported the problem of insufficient irrigation, lack of transportation and non availability of suitable root stocks of Kinnow. High prices of fertilizers and insecticides/ pesticides increased the cost of production of citrus fruits.
