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Indian Journal of Agriculture Business

Volume  2, Issue 1, January-June 2016, Pages 5-20
 

Original Article

Economics of Production and Processing of Seabuckthorn Value-added Products Commercialization of Sea buckthorn in Cold Desert Himalayas

D.R. Thakur*, Viredra Singh**

*Retired Principal Scientist cum Head, Department of Agri. Economics, Extention Education and Rural Sciology, COA, **** Professor of Botany, CO Basic Sciences, CSK HPKV, Palampur- 176062 (H. P.) India.

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Abstract

 In India, seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.) grows naturally in high altitude areas of cold desert Himalayas, spread over 75,000 Sq. km area in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Fruit is very reach in phyto- nutrients and has potential in health food, cosmetic and drug industries. Plant is also a useful fuel wood, fodder and soil binder and a life line of the tribal people of Himachal Pradesh even then this plant was neglected due to unawareness of its economics. Keeping this backdrop in view the present study has been investigated through 40 farmers for base– line survey for the year 209-10, 56 orchardists who planted plants in 2010-11, 48 orchardists who planted plants in 2011-12, seven farmers started growing fodder in seabuckthorn orchards, two processing units in Lahual –Spiti district of Himacchal Pradeh, five processing units in Leh district of (J&K), one semi- processing units in Kullu district of HP and two semiprocessing units out side HP i. e. Haryana & Delhi. Based upon the results of the study, the pertinent findings indicate that existing area under seabuckthorn was less than 1 per cent of the total geographical area, whereas as 5.2 per cent of the total cultivated area on an average farms and its share in farm income was only 1.05 per cent of the gross farm income (Rs. 3,14, 028 ) indicates potential for improvement. Benefit- cost ratio (BCR) in nursery raising ranged between 1.51 to 2.10. However, it was 3.26 in full life span period of the seabuckthorn orchards plus fodder crop (tall fescue, red clover and Lucerne grass) and 6.04 at full bearing stage of the orchard and fodder i. e. after 6thyear of the plantation of plants. On an average per quintal loss borne by Lahaul (HP) processing units was Rs. 2,957. Whereas, on an average per quintal net returns of processing seabuckthorn fruits were Rs. 1973 in Leh area of Jammu & Kashmir. Break-even analysis indicates that in Lahaul area the processing units were running just above the shut down point, whereas on the other hand in Leh area these were earning profits. Benefit cost ratio of semi -processing units in the country vary between 1.44 to 1.90 . Based on the findings of the present paper, it is suggested that area under seabuckthorn plantation should be increased and enhance the wild seabuckthorn fruits collection through improving the harvesting technology and it is also suggested that there exists a need for development of its package of practices and efforts should be made to provide remunerative prices of seabuckthorn produce to the orchardists buy back system, besides this, nursery raising techniques and management should be imparted to the Forest Officials of the state Govt. Besides these, the entire stakeholder involved in its farming and business should be aware about the economics and benefits of this new venture.  

Keywords: seabuckthorn; Orchards; Benefit- cost ratio (BCR).


Corresponding Author : D.R. Thakur*