Determinants of Vegetable Production among Smallholder Farmers in Diverse Agro-Climatic Zones of Himachal Pradesh

The study was conducted to examine the factors affecting the vegetable production among smallholder farmers in Himachal Pradesh. The primary data collected with structured questionnaire and analyzed by using descriptive and multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that the factors like farm size, experience, farm workers and extension services were positive and significant relationship with vegetable production. The coefficient of age (-0.002) showed negative and significant relationship with vegetable production means older age farmers usually use traditional practices on the field due to lack of knowledge about modern inputs and technology. The 74 per cent variation in the model was explained by the independent variables under study while the remaining 26 per cent was due to other variables like sowing time, irrigation facilities, improved and quality seeds etc. Lack of irrigation facility, price fluctuations and lack of transportation facilities were found to be significantly different from different zones as revealed by significant chi-square value 8.38, 7.86 and 11.80. The improving education, access to modern agricultural practices, reducing regional disparities in input and market access could significantly enhance vegetable production in Himachal Pradesh. They suggested that the farmers need to be educated to apply the recommended package of practices in order to avoid increasing the cost of cultivation unnecessarily and decrease the cost of production.