Trends, Growth and Variability of Apple in Himachal Pradesh: 1973–2016

The present study was undertaken with a view to analyse growth trends and variability of apple crop in two different period's i.e, Period-I (1973–74 to 1990–91) and Period-II (1991–92 to 2015–16) in potential and marginal apple growing areas in Himachal Pradesh. The results revealed highest growth rate in area of 3.78 percent per annum during P-I in potential areas. The growth rates in production in potential areas showed significant increase, while, marginal areas showed declining growth in all periods except P-II, that exhibit highest growth rates in production (5.86%/annum). Growth rates in productivity showed significant increase in P-II in all the apple growing areas with maximum growth in potential areas (3.88%/annum) except marginal areas where significant decline in productivity in P-I and overall period was observed. The decomposition analysis revealed that production variation in all areas in HP during P-I was due to area effect except marginal areas, whereas P-II was marked by yield effect in all apple growing areas on the account of varietal improvement. But, the overall increase in production was due to area expansion except marginal areas. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the technology as well as extension of the technology to the farms through different research and extension agencies in the state to improve productivity of apple.