Studies on Doubling Farmers’ Income in ‘Lahaul Valley’-High Altitude Cold Desert Region of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Diversifying farming has been adopted as one of multi-pronged strategies by many Indian states to double farmers’ income by 2022. A field experiment was conducted at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Highland Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Kukumseri (32°44'55" N, 76° 41' 23'' E and 2672 m altitude above mean sea level) during summer/kharif 2013 to study the productivity and comparative profitability of different commonly grown off-season (April to September) vegetable crops in dry temperate zone (Lahaul valley) of Himachal Pradesh. It was carried out with the objective of maximizing the profitability of tribal farmers by suggesting them to divert more of acreage under more remunerative vegetables crops. Productivity of cabbage (380.9 q/ha) was more than that of cauliflower (308.4 q/ha) but was found economically less remunerative because of its lower prevailing price, hence cauliflower was the most profitable vegetable among the cole crops. Pea crop in the valley occupies 50 per cent of the cultivated area. Peas recorded less value of net returns/ha and benefit cost ratio (Rs 1,21,436; 2.9) than cabbage (Rs 3,27,815; 6.1), tomato (Rs 4,01,205; 5.9), cauliflower (Rs 5,06,333; 7.9) and summer squash/zucchini (Rs 5,33,008; 8.4). Under open field conditions, low temperature at the time of tomato harvest requires special attention for proper fruit-colour development i.e. to keep the fruits wrapped and packed/in polyhouse. French bean, broccoli and capsicum were less profitable than peas. As compared to peas, zucchini was more profitable by 338.9 %, cauliflower by 316.9 %, tomato by 230.4 %, and cabbage by 169.9%. Thus, farmers of Lahaul valley should divert more of their land in cultivating summer squash, cauliflower and tomato to double their income.