Department of Social Sciences, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan-173230, Himachal Pradesh
Online published on 5 December, 2018.
Peach is one of the most important stone fruits in Himachal Pradesh. A sample of 60 farmers cultivating peach was selected using multistage random sampling techniques to estimate cost and production for peach (Prunus persica (L) Batsch.). Results show average establishment cost (in the initial year) at Rs 19,341 per 100 plants. The maintenance cost of peach plantation ranges from Rs 17,239 to Rs 39,101 from 1st year to 15th year; and gross returns from Rs 76,783 to Rs 94,906. The economic life of peach orchards has been taken up to 20 years. The internal rate of return, modified internal rate of return, net present value, benefit-cost ratio and payback period at 12% discount rate show that peach orchards are worth retaining as long as these generate income of about Rs 9,800 over annual maintenance cost.
