Prospects of fruits and vegetables processing in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is rich in raw material for agro-processing industries. Production of fruits and vegetables in Rajasthan was 676 and 800 million tonnes, respectively in 2009–10. In the decade 1990–2000, the area under fruits grew at the rate of 2.21%, production at 4.37% and productivity at 1.98%. However, during the decade 2001–2010, the growth rate of fruits jumped to 2.97, 5.49 and 2.32% per annum for area, production and productively, respectively. The similar trend was observed in case of vegetables too. In rural and urban area during 2004–05, the income elasticity of demand for fruits was 1.65 and 1.24%, respectively indicating elastic demand in both areas. It shows that fruit consumption increased by 1.65% in rural areas and 1.24% in urban regions due to one per cent increase in income. In the case of vegetables, the income elasticity of demand was 0.51% in rural areas and 0.57% in urban areas indicating relatively inelastic demand in both areas. The income elasticity of demand for fruits has increased over the years and reached 1.79% in rural and 1.68% in urban areas during 2009–10 (66^th round). In respect of vegetables, there has not been much increase in income elasticity (0.62% in rural and 0.68% in urban regions) during this period.