An analysis of growth trends in area, production and productivity of vegetables in Assam

The state of Assam has almost attained self-sufficiency in its requirement of cereals – more particularly rice and as the position stands today, the state is looking for export. Now all eyes are set on the protective food sector i.e. fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops. On the basis of per capita requirement the state is marginally surplus both in fruits and vegetables. During 1998–99, the state had a population of 2.62 crores and on that basis the requirement is calculated at 6,88,657 MT in case of fruits and that of vegetables is 21,42,488 MT. Against this requirement, our present production of fruits and vegetables are 12,49,492 MT and 30,26,735 MT, respectively. The fate of this surplus quantity either becomes a part of heavy post harvest loss or becomes a component of the regular outflow to the neighbouring deficit states. In this context, to analyze growth trends in area, production and productivity of vegetables in Assam the present study is carried out by using secondary data during 1991–92 to 2010-11period.