Socio- Economic Analysis of Ginger Crop in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the socio-economics of ginger growers in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The data collected from 50 ginger growers of two blocks of the district by personal interview using multi-stage purpose sampling technique. In ginger farms average male members as well as their percentage were found to be more than their female counterparts. Majority of the farmers were literate. Farming followed by daily paid labourers, service and business was the main occupation of adult family members. Owned land holding for ginger farms were 1.76 hectares. Cropping intensity during the study period was 190.34% on ginger farms. Returns over variable cost for ginger crop was worked out as Rs. 113324/ha. BCR (over total variable cost) as well as BCR (over total cost) was worked out as 2.617 and 1.167 respectively for ginger crop. All income measures per hectare were found to be positive for ginger crop. 86% and 74% of selected ginger farmers’ responded positively regarding availability of good quality seed/ seedlings and disease problem in seed/ seedlings in the initial stage of sowing of ginger crop respectively. 52% responded that there is lack of extension training facilities and 92% responded that there is a problem of weed infestation. 28% responded there is an un-remunerative price of produce, 98% responded that cost of marketing of produce was high, all the respondents were hiring transport to market the produce. 66% responded for favour of Govt. policies for ginger farming. 60% responded that there is lack of cheap credit from banks for ginger farming. Strongly suggested the strengthening of R&D work, extension services, training of farmers, establishment of semi-processing and cold storage facilities, and co-operatives farming societies for better ginger farming.