Economics of controlled atmosphere storage of apple in Jammu and Kashmir State

Abstract

The study focuses on Economics aspect of Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Apple in Jammu and Kashmir State of India. The study depicted that there are problems of inadequate CA store facilities for fresh fruits. It has been observed from the field studies that no CA store was found in the Baramulla district an important producing hub for apple, although a small percentage of the fruit was kept in the CA stores located at other places in the valley. The quantity that finds accommodation in the CA stores does not suffice the need of the customers. On account of non-availability of required number of CA stores, many growers after harvesting apple, store them in orchards with huge spoilage because of dampness, high temperature and humidity problems. The study revealed that Overall 10 to 25 percent of fruits get destroyed in this way. Besides, the quality of the produce is also affected adversely due to lack of cold storage facilities and the chances for damages to the fruits. The grower’s capacity to hold stock for better prices during off-season also gets considerably reduced when storage facilities is minimal. The paper revealed that these facts compel the growers to dispose off their produce in the shortest possible time. This situation naturally leads to a slump in the market prices and thereby the growers fail to harvest good prices. Extended storages facilities in the potential areas at the block/tehsil level may prolong the marketing season and may prove beneficial to the growers. An important concern CA stores and the processing plants face that they incur high power expenses.