Cultivation and marketing of kinnow in south-western region of punjab: An approach of swot analysis

In Punjab, cultivation of fruits is practiced from many years. Nature has gifted Punjab with the suitable agro-climatic conditions and topography for the cultivation of horticultural crops, particularly south-western region for citrus cultivation. This region has the large potential in the production of citrus fruits in terms of productivity level. Among the citrus fruits, kinnow fruit, a hybrid of two citrus cultivars, namely, King (Citrus nobilis) and Willow leaf (Citrus deliciosa) occupies an enviable prime place among the citrus and other fruit crops cultivated in Punjab. It can be easily cultivated on the sandy loam soils and has higher profitability and good market value compared to some other fruit crops in the state. In concern of steady increase in demand for cultivation of fruit crops; an agro-economic data with regard to kinnow cultivation is important for further expansion of its cultivation. Hence, an approach of SWOT analysis has been made to identify the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats in the cultivation and marketing of kinnow in South-western region of Punjab. The results shows that cultivation and marketing of kinnow can be increased and generates an employment and source of income for the rural people.