Changing Dynamics of Cropping Pattern and Constraints Perceived by the Vegetable Growers in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh has various agro-climatic conditions suitable for producing a wide range of vegetable crops around the year. Sixty vegetable growers were selected from the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh using a three-stage random sampling method. In the past 30 years, there was a massive reduction in cereals, pulses and oilseeds; it would be due to the introduction of vegetable crops. On average, the total area put under vegetable crops was 0.2974 and 0.3158 hectares during the summer and winter seasons, respectively, on the overall farm situation. The incidence of insect pests & diseases was the significant constraint related to production. Getting a loan from the bank was time-consuming, and lack of extension facilities were the most critical financial and institutional constraints, respectively. Training should be provided to the farmers to be aware of the latest technologies of KVKs and SAUs to overcome production constraints. For financial and institutional constraints, training camps should be held to provide knowledge about new schemes of state and centre government.