Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research

S. K. Chauhan ¹, Sakshi Chouhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education & Rural Sociology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

The study reveals that raising mulberry farm, establishing Chawki rearing centre and cocoon markets have been very effective in enhancing the utilization of silk seed by over four times and the cocoon production by five times over a period of four years (2010-11 to 2013-14). Besides, the awareness level of farmers in sericulture technology was assessed to the extent of 45% through training and exposure visits. The sericulture project has further impacted in terms ofraising income and employment of beneficiaries to the extent of 2 and 11 %, respectively. However, inadequate financial support for constructing silk worm rearing shed and low average yield of cocoons per ounce of seed due to inadequate supply of mulberry leaves need special attention to harness the potential and achieve set targets of the project timely. The study emphasize some policy interventions viz.; enhancing the supply of mulberry leaves in combating the shortage by expanding area at individual and community level and developing irrigation infrastructure for existing mulberry plantations. Secondly, the financial support need to be enhanced for constructing silkworm rearing house with reasonable financial support to the extent of at least Rs 1 lakh. Education of beneficiaries through training camps and exposure visits be continued and strengthened for updating&up- scaling their skill and capacity building.

Keywords

Mulberry, Silk Worm, Cocoon, Impact, Livelihood.

Full Text

   

Sultan Singh ¹, S. K. Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education & Rural Sociology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

Post-harvest loss assessment in marketing and the methods of estimation are important areas of research in post-harvest management. The study was conducted in Chhota Bhangal area of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed for the selection of 10 vegetable growing villages out of 22 in the first stage and the 60 growers from selected villages through proportional allocation method in the second and final stage of sampling. A random sample of five local traders operating in the study area was taken to estimate the losses at trader's level. The total physical post-harvest loss of 18.97 kg per q equivalent to monetary loss of Rs 462 was found to be maximum in broccoli followed by cauliflower with a physical loss of 18.96 kg per q (Rs 331 per q) and cabbage with a physical loss of 18.38 kg per q (Rs 250 per q). The functional analysis revealed that inadequate transportation, long distance from farm to road head, pre-harvest disease occurrence and inadequate storage significantly affected the post-harvest losses. Thus basic infrastructural facilities such as all weather roads, controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) and modern market yards need to be developed in this difficult area. Scientific community from nearby public/private institutes should frequently visit the area to inform and interact with the farmers so that they become aware of cost effective methods to prevent post-harvest losses.

Keywords

Post-Harvest, Losses, Cole Crops, Factors Affecting, Producer's Share, Consumer's Rupee.

Full Text

   

Sultan Singh ¹, S. K. Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education and Rural Sociology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur - 176 062, IN

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Chhota Bhangal, one of the remotest area of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Since the region has vast potential for production and marketing of off-season vegetables. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed for the selection of 10 vegetable growing villages and the 60 growers from selected villages through proportional allocation method in the second and final stage of sampling. The findings of the study revealed that the total production on an average farm was highest for cabbage (57.53 q/household) followed by cauliflower (15.11 q/household). The plastic net bags, gunny bags and corrugated boxes were used as the packaging material for most of the vegetables. Channel I (Producer Local trader Commission agent-cum-wholesaler Retailer Consumer) was the most important channel for all the cole vegetable crops. In case of problems relating to production of vegetables, high incidence of pest and diseases was reported top most problems by the farmers. In case of problems relating to marketing of produce, unfavorable price received by producers was the most prominent problem recorded at first place using Garrett's mean score of 70.70 on an all farm situation.

Keywords

Off-Season Vegetables, Marketing Channels, Post-Harvest Losses, Hilly Areas, Pre-Cooling, Pests.

Full Text

   

S. K. Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Akal College of Economics, Commerce and Management, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, District Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh - 173 101, IN

Abstract

The study showed that nearly one-half of the mushroom growers had more than 5 years of experience and nearly one-fourth were new adopters and confined to both middle and aged group with formal primary, matriculation and graduation level education. The business principles like know-how and training with regard to new enterprise prior its adoption followed by a market survey, etc., were given due consideration and nearly 53 per cent of them adopted enterprise with low scale of 50 or even a smaller number of spawned compost bags each weighing 20 kg with average unit investment of Rs 22,306. Majority (91%) of sample units confined to a single crop with average yield of 3.05 kg per spawned compost bag which increased with the size of unit from 3.10 kg on small to 3.40 kg on medium units. The financial test ratios revealed the economic feasibility and profitability of mushroom cultivation on large scale. Inadequate supply of spawned compost bags, lack of remunerative prices and incidence of diseases were reported the major constraints requiring immediate attention of policy makers. For improving productivity, the study recommends the adequate supply of spawned compost bags at the doorsteps of growers at appropriate time and reasonable rates in addition to encouraging them to grow at least two crops per year.

Keywords

Button Mushroom, Growth Rate, Costs and Returns, Financial Test Ratios, Production Function.

Full Text

   

Megha Rattan ¹, S. K. Chauhan ²

Affiliations
1 Agricultural Extension Officer, Development Block, Barsar, HP, IN
2 Professor-cum-Dean, Akal College of Economics, Commerce and Management Eternal University, Baru Sahib-173 101, District Sirmour, IN

Abstract

Sericulture an agro-based multitudinous activity involves growing of mulberry, production of laying, rearing of silkworms for cocoons, marketing and reeling of cocoons for value added products such as processing and weaving of the silk yarn. Due to short gestation period and labour intensive enterprise, it can go a long way in promoting economic growth and poverty alleviation in rural areas. A study was carried out to examine the resource use efficiency, technology adoption and yield gaps at silkworms' rearer level in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. Purposive two-stage random sampling method was used to select a sample of 60 silkworm (41 small and 19 large) rearers, who mostly raised one crop of bivoltine cocoons in spring season (March-April) whereas 68.33 per cent could raise two crops one in spring and other in autumn season (September-October).The findings revealed that average seed used by the rearers was 0.66 Oz (18.48 g) in spring season while it was just 0.28 Oz (7.84 g) in autumn because of its less suitability. Technologies adopted included the important parameters like improved mulberry variety plantation, disinfection, silkworm rearing house, maintenance of hygiene, good harvesting of required size and shape of cocoons etc. The index of realised potential farm yield (IRPFY) varied from 68.89 per cent in small farm to 72.48 per cent in large for the spring season whereas in the autumn season it varied between 41.00 to 47.33 per cent. Regression analysis indicated that 69 per cent of the variation in the cocoon yield was significantly affected by use of silkworm seed and daily frequency of mulberry feeding and thus considered important in cocoon production.

Keywords

Mulberry, Silk Worm, Cocoon, Spring, Resource Use Efficiency, Yield Gap.

Full Text

   

Rita Kumari ¹, S. K. Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Economics, Eternal University, Baru Sahib-173 101, Himachal Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine the production& utilization pattern and problems & constraints faced by farmers and middlemen. A random sample of 60 farmers was chosen for the study. The major findings revealed that high cost of material inputs associated with incidence of pest and diseases were the major problems faced by farmers raising cash crops. Lack of scientific storage facilities followed by inadequate training of farmers for the adoption of better post-harvest management and adverse weather conditions during harvest were the major problems relating to post-harvest management of vegetables. Location of vegetable collection points at distant place and non-remunerative price for the produce coupled with lack of link roads to farmers’ villages and blockade of roads during rainy reason were reported other major problems by farmers in marketing of vegetables. Lack of scientific storage facilities followed by lack of grading standards and no premium price for graded produce, more weight loss of produce during transportation, etc were the major problems faced by the local youth traders of vegetable producing villages. The study suggested that quality material inputs such as seed, fertilizers and pesticides from truthful agencies along with extension services need to be made available to the farmers at reasonable cost.

Keywords

Garrett Ranking, Cash Crops, Vegetable Producers, Traders, Problems, Constraints.

Full Text