Agriculture Mechanization Division, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal-462 038, Madhya Pradesh.
Citrus being an important horticultural crop grown on about 34 per cent of the total area under fruits in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the present study has examined the (i) existing cultivation practices and constraints; (ii) costs, returns and economic feasibility of investment; (iii) socio-economic factors that affect the production and marketing; and (iv) scope of mechanization and has also suggested a suitable strategy for the development of citrus agribusiness in the state. The study has been conducted in the Chhindwara, Hoshangabad and Dhar districts involving 64 citrus growers (orange, sweet orange/mosambi and lime) and collecting data through survey method during the year 2005–06. Citrus, being perennial crops, are highly labour-intensive and therefore their cultivation generates employment in the area. The study has revealed that it to be a capital-intensive crop requiring about Rs 23,000/ha for establishment of orange and Rs 30,000/ha for establishment of sweet orange/mosambi crops. Profits in citrus cultivation have been found significantly higher with high benefit-cost ratio and lower payback period. Thus, citrus cultivation has been found profitable and economically viable and provides sustainable income to the growers. Since most of the operations are being performed manually, the study has suggested the need for mechanization of important cultivation operations for reducing labour cost, enhancing productivity and providing higher returns to the growers. Scarcity of labour during peak periods, lack of credit facility, scarcity of water, inadequate power supply, malpractices in weighing and ignorance of quality of produce have been identified as the major constraints to agribusiness of citrus in the state.
