Fruit Crops: Cultivation Practices and Economics

Prosperity through fruit cultivation is the new slogan gaining much acceptance among policy makers. Presently, fruit culture has established its credibility in improving income through increased productivity, generating employment and enhancing export. The focused attention on investment in fruit production during the last decade has been rewarding in terms of increased production and productivity of fruits. India has emerged as second largest producer of fruits in the world. It has diverse climates and soil for cultivation of fruit crops providing ample opportunities for the development of fruit industry but the greatest challenge in present is to produce sufficient fruit to feed the ever-increasing human population. This demands infusion of technology for an efficient utilization of resources for deriving higher output per unit of input with excellent quality of the produce within short span of time. In the present era of open economy, it has become increasingly necessary that our produce is competitive, both in the domestic as well as in international markets. This would be possible only through deployment of high-tech application and precision farming methods. Fruits are very important for human beings and also play an important role in religious practices, mythology and art. They are not only delicious but also have many nutrients which are necessary for human health. Fruit production requires a lot of science and some basic fundamental knowledge to grow them successfully. This book compiles many fundamental issues of fruit production like layout and planting, many cultural practices, growth and bearing habits of fruit crops, planting and propagation method, disease and pest management as well as cost of cultivation etc. Understanding of all these topics will help the students and fruit growers for proper knowledge of fundamentals of fruit production. We hope that this book would also be helpful for fruit growers, nurserymen, farmers, teachers, scientists, extension officers and all those who wish to become familiar with the topic in relation to their professional interest. We have tried to keep the language as simple and straight forward as possible and consistent with accurate representation of the content. Every effort has been made to present the ideas in very easy and understandable language and the interests of each reader. We would like to recommend Fruit Crops: Cultivation Practices and Economics to students, educators, researchers, extension specialists and orchard practitioners for cultivation practices of fruit crops and their economics.

Parshant Bakshi obtained his B.Sc. Agri. (Hons.) from M.D.S. University, Ajmer in 1998, M.Sc. (Horticulture) from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra in 2000 and Ph. D. (Pomology & PHT) from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Chatha, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir in 2004. He has been awarded MASHAV fellowship by the Ministry of External Affairs, Israel, in 2012 and has been adjudged for best poster and oral presentation at various national and International platforms. He is having more than 13 years of experience in teaching, research and extension activities. He is having more than 100 publications in national and international journals of repute. He has guided 5 research students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) as chairman and 25 as co-chairman /member and authored 7 books and 9 manuals. He handled 03 externally funded project as P.I. and 14 as Co-P.I. He remained Head, Advanced Centre for Horticulture Research, Udheywalla of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Chatha, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir from 2016-2018. He is the life member of 12 societies of Horticulture and editorial board of 7 professional journals. He is the fellow of Hi-Tech Horticultural Society. He delivered 20 T.V and radio talks and has RG score of 20.21. His area of research includes; enzymological changes in fruits, maturity indices of sub-tropical fruits, foliar application of micro-nutrients, rejuvenation of old/senile orchards, high density planting and molecular characterization of mango and walnut.

Anil Bhat, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Economics, Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, SKUAST-Jammu possesses a meritorious academic record. He has done M.Sc. (Agril. Economics) from the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and Ph.D. (Agril. Economics) from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He also holds the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi and Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Marketing from Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry. He has 40 publications including 12 book chapters and four books to his credit. He has guided 5 research students (M. Sc. and MBA Agri Business Management) as Major Advisor. He is the member of four professional societies and is also reviewer and editor of professional journals. Besides, he is also the recipient of Young Associate Scientist Award in the field of Agricultural Economics and has also received number of research paper presentation awards. His field of expertise is production, marketing and agri-business management.

Deep Ji Bhat, presently working as Assistant Professor in the Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Jammu. He is in the profession of teaching, research and extension with experience of more than 09 years. He has handled 02 externally funded projects. He has guided 03 M.Sc. students and presently guiding 01 Ph.D student. He has published 25 research papers in various national and international journals. He has been recipient of outstanding professional award by Indian Society of Hill Agriculture in 2011. He is founder member of Journal of Hill Agriculture and life member of several professional societies.

Naveen Kumar Patle, working as Deputy Commissioner (Horticulture) with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, is possessing 20 years experience in Extension, Teaching, Research and Administration with different organizations at various capacities. Presently, he is involved in planning, policy making & implementation of various centrally sponsored programmes like Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna etc. for holistic development of horticulture in the country. He has published more than 25 Research Papers in various national & international journals and written popular articles/ book chapters in horticulture and agro forestry field. He has also undergone various national and international training on horticulture aspects. He is also a life member of various professional societies and representing different committees constituted by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.