Himachal Leads In Off Season Vegetable Production

Jaideep Rehan

The vegetable production graph is rising in Himachal Pradesh, including major contribution from off season vegetables. The target set for the state at 1300 metric tonne of vegetable production in the 11th five year plan from 2007-2012 was increased to 1500 metric tonne in 12th five year plan from 2012-2017.

Figures reveal that the state not only successfully achieved the target in past three years, but in the past two years the vegetable production crossed well beyond 1600 metric tonne. According to information, about 1398 metric tonne vegetable was produced in the state in 2012-13. The same figure increased to 1465 metric tonne in 2013-14 and in year 2014-15 the vegetable production figure reached 1576 metric tonne mark. In year 2015-16, the vegetable production was 1608 metric tonne which further increased to 1653 metric tonne in year 2016-17.

Farmers are annually earning Rs. 3,000 crore through vegetable production. Vegetables are produced in Himachal in a period when they cannot be grown in neighbouring plain states due to adverse climatic condition. Himachal Pradesh in fact is one of the leading states in off season vegetable production. Off season vegetables like cabbage, tomato, peas, cauliflower, potato and capsicum are primarily grown in Himachal Pradesh.

These vegetables reach market of plain areas when supply from local areas is on the decline. Arrival of tomato in the market from plain areas starts declining after monsoon whereas its supply begins from Himachal Pradesh from July onwards and lasts till October. Production of off season vegetables also fetches good price to Himachali farmers.

Production Witnessing Ascending Graph

Year               Production

                  (in metric tonne)

2012-13           1398.05

2013-14           1465.96

2014-15           1576.45

2015-16           1608.55

2016-17           1653.51

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