To study the production cost and return structure of kinnow orchard in North-Western region of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present study entitled, “An economic analysis of production and marketing of kinnow in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during the agricultural year 2017-18. A sample of 100 kinnow growers was selected using multistage sampling technique. The sample farms were further categorized into small (up to 300 plants), medium (300-700 plants) and large (> 700 plants) based on number of plants. The primary data were collected through survey method by interviewing the kinnow growers directly through a well-designed pre-tested schedule. Initial cost of kinnow plantation per hundred plants was calculated as Rs. 7960.76 at overall level and was practically found almost same in all categories of farmers. The maintenance cost of non-bearing plants was Rs. 6970.74, Rs. 7702.84 and Rs. 8431.03 per hundred plants in the second to fourth year of age, respectively. Maintenance cost during bearing stage was estimated to Rs. 18706.04, Rs. 19292.84, Rs. 19437.39 and Rs. 18202.73 per hundred plants in the age groups of 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 and 17-20 years, respectively which showed an increasing trend up to 13-16 years of age group and then gradually decreased in the age group of 17-20 years. The payback period worked out to be of eight years among all farm categories with overall benefit-cost ratio of 1.45, internal rate of return (IRR) 17.48 per cent and net present value of Rs. 112369.90. These measures clearly indicated that kinnow cultivation is profitable in the study area.