Production constraints analysis and suggested technological interventions to bridge the gaps in guava (Psidium guajava L.) value chain

A study was conducted during 2010–2012 on guava farmers randomly selected from different land holding categories in Bithoor belt of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) to identify and document the constraints and suggest technological interventions in production to consumption chain of guava. The findings indicated that most of the guava orchards were raised through seedling plantations which have immense variability with regard to fruit size, yield and quality. This leads to poor price of produce realized by farmer. Similarly, rejuvenation, high density planting, vegetative propagation and crop regulation as recommended are not followed by farmers due to lack of extension services. About half of farmers give 3 irrigations at monthly intervals from April to June month. Guava orchards are found under-nourished and often heavily infested with bark eating caterpillars. Twenty two per cent farmers do not apply any fertilizers while 66% apply little quantity of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) which is not sufficient. Fruit fly and bark eating caterpillars are the major insect pests while wilt and root knot nematodes pose major threats to guava plantation in the village. Eighty percent farmers use locally made laggi (harvester) besides hand picking which leads to bruising or physical damage to the fruits leading to poor price. Fruit yields obtained by farmers are in the range of 1.5 to 4.5 MT/ha which are extremely lower than the national average of guava productivity. There were 6% farmers who got net income of Rs 30,000-35,000/ha. Thirty six per cent farmers earned hardly Rs 15,000-20,000/ha while 24% farmers earned a net income of Rs 10,000-15,000/ha from guava cultivation which is extremely disheartening. Thus, there is a need to promote adoption of new guava varieties, adopt high density planting, apply optimum doses of macro and micro-nutrients, regulate the crop, and manage the canopy for higher yields and quality production. Thus, various constraints in production to consumption chain of guava were recorded in the study and overcoming these constraints will lead to enhanced guava productivity and livelihood security.