Growth pattern of horticultural crops in Himachal Pradesh

The present study deals with district wise growth performance of major fruit and vegetable crops in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Growth was analyzed in terms of compound annual growth rate in area, production and productivity of fruit and vegetable crops, which was carried out for the period 1980–81 to 2012–13 in case of fruits and 1995–96 to 2016–17 in case of vegetables. It was found that the area under different fruit and vegetable crops has increased but the productivity of fruits was found declining due to age old plantation in most of the districts. At state level, the area under total fruits and apple increased at the rate of 2.20% p.a. & 2.80% p.a. and production at the rate of 3.10% p.a. & 2.70% p.a., while, the productivity for the same was not found significant. However, the area, production and productivity of total vegetables in the state of Himachal Pradesh increased at the rate of 6.20% p.a., 7.30% p.a. and 1.10% p.a., respectively.