Geo-Analyst, Vol.2, No.

1 2012
PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURISTIC VIEW OF HORTICULTURE IN WEST BENGAL
Jadab Chandra Halder* and Dr. Pannalal Das**
ABSTRACT
The growth and prosperity of rural economy are closely linked with agriculture and allied agricultural sectors.
Apart from meeting the food and fodder requirements, its importance also stems from the raw materials that it
provides to industry. With increasing population and inadequate employment generation, the pressure on land
has increased considerably leading to fragmentation of land. As the pressure on land increased, the farmers are
forced to exploit their land for livelihood support which again leads to environmental degradation and
degradation of soil health that would lead to food and nutritional insecurity endangering in particular the
livelihood of future generation. Allied sector is now equally important for the development of the state
especially its rural economy and all round development of any country. Horticulture is an important allied
sector of agriculture, which provides supplementary income, alternative livelihood especially to the landless,
employment opportunities during non- agricultural seasons. Besides this, it contributes immensely in value
added services and food processing industries. This sector has an ability to create man hours and
entrepreneurship among the youth. Consumer demand of horticultural crops is increasing day by day as the
quality of life has increased in urban and peri-urban areas. The state of West Bengal has immense potentiality to
meet these demands on account of its diverse climatic conditions. In this context, this paper attempts to analyse
the changing nature of horticulture in West Bengal and find out the projected requirement and production of
major horticultural crops for the year of 2020-2021.
Key Words: Horticulture, Sustainability, Land Fragmentation, AEZ.
INTRODUCTION
West Bengal is located between 2110 N and 2738N latitude and 8550 E and 8950E longitude. The state
is flanked by the Bay of Bengal in the south, Sikkim and Bhutan on the north, Assam and Bangladesh on the
east and Jharkhand and Orissa on the west. It covers an area of 87.616 sq.km. representing only 2.7% of the total
area of the country. The state is divided into 19 administrative districts viz. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar,
Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata,
Howrah Hooghly, Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, and Purulia. Kolkata is
excluded in this study because of its non availability of agricultural areas. The state is situated in almost the
heart of fertile Gangetic delta and possesses high geographical diversity with six agro-climatic zones.
Horticultural crops cover 21% of the net cultivable area in the state (Economic Review, 2011-2012). The state
offers scope for cultivation of a wide variety of horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation
crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, flowers and ornamentals because of its diversities in topography, altitude,
climatic and soil conditions. Despite the favourable factors and scope for the cultivation of horticultural crops,
the development of horticulture has not picked up momentum as desired. The productivity of horticultural crops
is very low in the state. This paper describes the present status of two major horticultural crops viz. fruits and
vegetables, major constrains of their cultivation and future strategies for development of horticulture to ensure
sustainable horticultural production.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
To examine the present status and prospect of horticulture in West Bengal by considering the views of
different comprehensive District Agricultural Plan, State Agricultural Plan, State Agriculture Commission,
State Planning Board and different departments of Government of West Bengal.
To prepare a suitability calendar in respect of some important climatic characteristics and soil factor for
different horticultural crops which will help the farmers for adoption of location specific horticultural crops.
To compute the district wise projected production of important horticultural crops for the year of 2020-
2021
*Research Fellow, Department of Geography, Calcutta University
**Professor, Department of Geography, Calcutta University
Geo-Analyst, Vol.2, No.1 2012
DATA SOURCE AND METHODOLOGY
For the analysis of present status and growth of fruits and vegetables, authors have considered a period of six
years from 2005-2006 to 2010-2011. The data of this study have been collected from different government
published sources. Different Statistical Abstracts published by Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics
(BAE&S) of Government of West Bengal are the main sources. Statistical Appendix of Economic Reviews of
successive years published by Government of West Bengal , State Agricultural Plan for West Bengal, prepared
by Social Organization for Integrated Living (SOIL) and National Horticultural Mission (NHM)-2005 by
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India are the other sources.
Growth of different horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables) is first examined and then the projected
productions of horticultural crops are calculated for the year of 2020-2021 with the help of following equation
(Kothari, 2011).
Yc= a + bx.. (i)
Where Yc= Estimated value of production of a particular year (x).
Besides this, the projected population for the year of 2020-2021 is also calculated with the help of the following
equations (Mandal, 1982).
F= P
1
+ (ri Y).. (ii)
ri= (P2-P
1
)/Y.... (iii)
Where, F= Projected population, P
1
= Population of the first year, ri= Rate of increase, P2= Population of the
last year and Y= Time interval between the first and the last year.
And lastly projected required productions have been calculated with the help of per capita consumption of fruits
and vegetables per day as follows (National Horticulture Mission- Action Plan for West Bengal, 2005)
Vegetables= 175 gm/day and Fruits= 45 gm/day.
SCENARIO OF WEST BENGAL IN HORTICULTURE
West Bengals six agro-climatic zones offer variety of environs for the cultivation of different horticultural
crops round of the year (Table-5). The state is a leading producer of a wide variety of horticultural crops. It
produces significant quantities of traditional vegetables like brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, cucurbits, and
ladys finger. It also produces non-traditional vegetables like broccoli, gherkins, baby corn, brussels sprouts etc.
Among fruits, the major ones are pineapple, litchi, guava, banana, mango and sapota. The state is the largest
producer of pineapple and second largest producer of litchi (Economic Review, 2011-2012). The state also
grows significant amount of coconut, cashew nut, betel vine. Besides, the state grows a variety of high value and
exotic flowers like Rose, Jasmine, Arabian jasmine (Bel, Mallika), Italian or Royal jasmine (Chameli), Holihoc,
Lotus, Garbera, Begonia, Gloriosa, Freesia, Calandium etc. Historically Darjeeling hills have a pioneering role
in the development of floriculture in India. The state has immense possibilities in medicinal plant cultivation,
which are in great demand in both domestic and international markets.
PRESENT STATUS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF HORTICULTURE IN WEST BENGAL
An area of 2,11,640 hectares was brought under the cultivation of fruit crops during 2010-2011 which indicates
22.55% increase in area over 2005-2006. Production of fruit crops has increased by 28.21% during the same
time interval. Among fruit crops, mango ranks the first position in respect of total area under the cultivation of
fruit crops (89.54 thousand hectares). The areas under the cultivation of mango and its production have
increased by 27.15% and 20.81% respectively. The key growing districts of mango are Malda, Murshidabad,
North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Burdwan and Purba Medinipur.
The important varieties of mango are Langra, Fazli, Laxman-Bhog, Gopal-Bhog, Himsagar, Amrapali, Aswina
etc. The potential return is about Rs 40,000 to 50,000 per hectare. Banana bears the second position according to
area under cultivation (27.8 thousand hectares) and the production (1010.15 thousand tonnes). The highest
increase in area (37.38%) and production (85.39%) has been noticed in case of banana. The major growing
districts of banana are Jalpaiguri, Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas. The key varieties of banana are
Kanthali, Chatim, Chapa, Giant-Governer, Robusta, Martaman.
The potential return is about Rs 45,000 to 50,000 per hectare. Guava is an another important fruit which is
mainly cultivated in Jalpaiguri, Paschim Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Bankura and Purulia. The key varieties
of guava are Allahabad-Safed, Banarasi, Chittidar, Harija, Baruipur, KG etc. Areas under cultivation and
production of guava have increased by 37.35% and 16.90%.
The potential return is about Rs 35,000 per hectare. Orange is an important horticultural crop in West Bengal
which covers an area of about 3.76 thousand hectares. The area under cultivation of orange and its production
has increased by 5.92% and 13.81%. The growing districts of orange are Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. The
potential return of orange is about Rs 40,000 to 50,000 per hectare. When one considers the area under
Geo-Analyst, Vol.2, No.1 2012
cultivation and production of pineapple, it is seen that both the area and production of pineapple have been
decreased by 27.75% and 19.91%.
Table-1: Agro-climatic zones in West Bengal
Zone Region Sub-
Region
Districts
covered
Characteristics Major Horticultural
Crops
Z
o
n
e
-
I
I
Eastern
Himalayan
Region
Hills Darjeeling Mainly brown forest soil,
acidic in nature( pH 3.5-5.0),
rainfall -2500-3500 mm
Pineapple, Mandarine-
Orange, Tomato
Terai Jalpaiguri,
Cooch Behar
Soils are mostly sandy to sandy
loams, porous, low in base
content, acidic in nature ( pH
4.2-6.2), rainfall- 2000-3200
mm
Pineapple, Jackfruit,
Orange, Banana, Guava,
Tomato, Cashew,
Turmeric
Z
o
n
e
-
I
I
I
Gangetic
Region
Old
alluvium
North and
South
Dinajpur,
Malda
Soils are mildly acidic to
neutral ( pH 5.2-7.0),rainfall-
1500-2000mm
Mango, Pineapple, Litchi,
Tomato, Cabbage,
Cauliflower
New
alluvium
Murshidabad,
Nadia,
Hooghly,
Burdwan,
North 24
Parganas
Soils are deep, mostly neutral
in reaction (pH 5.5-7.0) and
fertile, rainfall- 1350-1450mm
Mango, Banana, Litchi,
Guava, Onion, Tomato,
Cabbage, Cauliflower,
Cashew, Papaya,
Turmeric
Coastal
saline
South 24
Parganas,
Howrah,
Purba
Medinipur
Soils are mostly heavy clay
containing with higher salts,
soils pH 6.5-7.5, rainfall 1600-
1800mm
Mango, Sapota, Onion,
Tomato, Betelvine, Chili,
Papaya, Litchi, Coconut,
Cashewnut
Red
lateritic
Birbhum,
Bankura,
Paschim
Medinipur
Soils are coarse in texture and
erosion prone, pH 5.5-6.2,
rainfall- 1100-1400mm
Mango, Guava, Onion,
Tomato, Cashew
Z
o
n
e
-
V
I
I
Eastern
Plateau
and Hill
Region
Purulia Soils are gravelly , coarse
textured, low water holding
capacity, pH 5.5-6.2, rainfall-
1100- 1400 mm
Guava, Tomato
Source: References 10 and 11
Geo-Analyst, Vol.2, No.1 2012
On the other hand, area of about 943.32 thousand hectares was put under cultivation of vegetables in 2010-2011
which is 6.01% higher over 2005-2006. The production of vegetables has also increased by 15.38% during the
same time interval. Among vegetables, the major ones are cucurbits, brinjal, cabbage, ladys finger, cauliflower
and tomato. Cucurbit is cultivated in almost all the districts of West Bengal except Darjeeling. The area and
production have increased by 1.62% and 20.88% respectively.
After cucurbits, brinjal holds the second position in respect of area under cultivation (158.44 thousand hectares)
and the production is also high (2870.60 thousand tonnes). At present the area and production of brinjal have
been increased by 3.62% and 4.10% over 2005-2006., Cabbage, ladys finger, cauliflower, these three important
vegetables are cultivated in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Burdwan and Murshidabad. The
potential return of each vegetable is about Rs 40,000 to 50,000 per hectare. It is also noticed that the highest
increase in area and production are experienced in case of onion. But the area and production have decreased by
1.06% and 0.02% respectively in case of pea. (Table-2 and Figure-2).
Table-2: Area and Production of Fruits and Vegetables during 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 in West Bengal.
Name of
fruits/vegetables
Area in thousand
hectares
Growth
rate in %
Production in thousand tonnes
Growth
rate in % 2005-
2006
2010-
2011 2005-2006 2010-2011
Mango 70.09 89.54 27.75 513.34 620.17 20.81
Banana 27.8 42.03 51.19 544.87 1010.15 85.39
Pineapple 13.38 9.93 -25.78 379.87 303.66 -19.91
Papaya 9.51 11.13 17.03 263.65 324.23 22.98
Guava 9.88 13.57 37.35 152.99 178.85 16.9
Jackfruit 10.88 11.32 4.04 160.1 191.86 19.84
Litchi 8.08 8.63 7.2 74.92 85.12 13.61
Mandarin-Orange 3.55 3.76 5.92 32.51 37 13.81
Other Citrus 6.48 7.52 16.05 54.56 64.77 18.71
Sapota 4.17 4 4.08 49.02 43.58 11.09
Others fruits 8.9 10.21 14.72 76.58 93.43 22
Tomato 49.96 54.14 8.36 857.18 1063.65 24.09
Cabbage 74.71 75.28 0.76 1982.68 2087.84 5.3
Cauliflower 65.64 70.04 6.7 1666.15 1777.21 6.66
Peas 21.67 21.44 -1.06 129.38 129.36 -0.02
Brinjal 152.9 158.44 3.62 2757.44 2870.6 4.1
Onion 17.51 21.25 21.36 221.67 297.98 34.43
Cucurbits 164.72 167.39 1.62 1763.07 2131.16 20.88
Ladys Finger 65.77 74 12.51 718.94 862.12 19.92
Radish 35.73 40.29 12.76 392.27 491.76 25.36
Others vegetables 241.23 261.05 8.22 1067.97 1622.61 51.93
Computed by authors (Data Source: Statistical Abstract, West Bengal-2008, Economic Review-2011-2012)
The present growth rate of these horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables) is reasonably high, but the regional
disparity in production of these crops is noticed across the agro-climatic regions. So a careful water management
in rain-fed areas and prevention of land fragmentation are crucial for the sustenance of gains achieved. The
proper soil and water conservation measures in hilly regions, adaptation with climatic change, and irrigation
management should be looked into (Ghosh, 2011).
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PROJECTED PRODUCTION AND REQUIREMENT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
IN 2020-2021:
Based on the current growth rate, the projected and required productions of horticultural crops (fruits and
vegetables) have been studied by the authors (Table-3 and Figure-4). It is estimated that in 2020-2021 the
production of fruits and vegetables will be 5824.42 and 19061.29 thousand tonnes, where the required
production of these two crops will be 1683.88 and 6548.41 thousand tonnes respectively. It is also observed that
the gross production of these two crops will be higher than requirement to the extent of 4140.54 and 12512.88
thousand tonnes. But when one considers the district-wise production the following observations come out:
Howrah district will be suffered by negative production of fruits (-155.40 thousand tonnes) and
vegetables (-50.06 thousand tonnes).
Burdwan district will be suffered by negative production of fruits (-38.45 thousand tonnes).
In Purulia, the fruit production will be increased to the extent of only 3.07 thousand tonnes and the
required production may decrease.
In the district of Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur, the fruit production will decrease to the extent of 46.32
and 22.68 thousand tonnes.
In Darjeeling the production of vegetables will decrease to the extent of 37.79 thousand tonnes.
So the state will suffer with the regional disparities in production of fruits and vegetables, which may be the
major constraint of sustainable production and commercialization of these two major horticultural crops.
Table-3: Projection of actual and required production of fruits and vegetables for the year of 2020-2021
Sl.
No Districts
Projected
Population
in 2021
Required production in 000
tonnes
Projected production in ;000
tonnes
Fruits Vegetables Fruits Vegetables
1 Burdwan 8551812 140.46 546.55 -38.45 889.89
2 Birbhum 3989352 65.53 254.82 141.66 656.03
3 Bankura 3999889 65.7 255.49 95.41 1068.39
4 Purba- Medinipur 5768403 94.75 368.46 196.27 850.22
5
Paschim-
Medinipur 6668201 109.53 425.93 222.22 1572.82
6 Howrah 5410177 88.86 345.58 -155.4 -50.06
7 Hooghly 5998802 98.53 383.17 240.57 1171.47
8
North 24
Parganas 11231418 184.48 717.41 810.02 1340.61
9
South 24
Parganas 9399663 154.39 600.4 219.83 1514.72
10 Nadia 5732149 94.15 366.14 2220 2261.68
11 Murshidabad 8338291 136.96 532.61 481.23 2405.92
12 Uttar Dinajpur 3559994 58.47 227.39 105.01 449.59
13 Dakshin Dinajpur 1838684 30.2 117.45 47.35 1698.9
14 Malda 4705472 77.29 300.56 532.14 940.55
15 Jalpaiguri 4338177 71.25 277.1 156.45 1711.95
16 Darjeeling 2074896 34.08 132.53 333.49 195.87
17 Cooch Behar 3166405 52.01 202.25 178.58 1059.82
18 Purulia 3319414 54.52 212.02 38.46 854.47
West Bengal 102519275 1683.88 6548.41 5824.42 19061.29
Computed by authors
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POSSIBILITIES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP CULTIVATION:
Suitable agro-climatic conditions, topography and soil types for the cultivation of different horticultural
crops (Bhattacharyya, 2008).
More than 60% area in old and new alluvium sub regions is benefited by major and minor irrigation
projects (Agricultural Statistics for Tenth Five Year Plan, 2001) thus the area offers good scope for
increasing the production of various tropical and sub tropical vegetables (Table-1).
Existence of Agri-Export Zones (AEZ) in various districts offer good scope for focused growth of
specific horticultural crops (Table-4).
A growing tendency to diversify from traditional agricultural crops to horticultural crops.
There is ample scope for the expansion in area under horticultural crops.
Table-4: Export from different AEZ of West Bengal.
AEZ Districts
Production
Capacity (Tonnes)
Exports (Rs)
Pineapple
Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Cooch-Behar,
Uttar Dinajpur.
238900 13.2 lakh
Mango Malda, Murshidabad. 123700 40 crore
Litchi
Malda,Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24
Parganas
33730 64.5 lakh
Potato
Hooghly, Burdwan, Howrah, Purba-
Medinipur
2590480 3.11 crore
Vegetables
North 24 Parganas, Nadia, South 24
Parganas, Howrah.
2706400 4.74 crore
Flowers
Purba Medinipur, Darjeeling,
Jalpaiguri, Nadia
59.4 Spikes, 27.4
Loose
74.0 lakh
Source: NHM-Action Plan, 2005
CONSTRAINTS IN HORTICULTURAL CROP CULTIVATION:
Lack of awareness on scientific farming of horticultural crops.
Inadequate supply of quality seeds and planting materials.
Improper infrastructure for horticultural extension, farmers training and capacity building.
Lack of interest, investment and innovation for rejuvenation of old orchards.
Limited marketing information on horticultural crops and products.
Inadequate cold storage facilities for preservation of fruits and vegetables.
Around 88% of the total land holdings belong to marginal and small farmers and average holding is
0.82 ha (State Agricultural Plan for Agriculture, 2007). Thus, it becomes difficult to introduce the
advanced technologies in farmers fields.
Selection of proper chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The soil nutrient maps prepared by National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning
(NBSS&LUP) are not of much use at ground level.
Lowering the ground water level and environmental degradation.
Lack of irrigation facilities.
FUTURE STRATEGIES:
Certification programmes should be implemented to ensure the availability of quality planting
materials.
Suitability Calendar based on agro-climatic conditions for different horticultural crops (Table-5)
has to be supplied among the farmers to choose the appropriate horticultural crops.
Orange is a unique horticultural crop of hilly region and it needs research attention on priority for
increasing its productivity and quality. Organic cultivation be used to increase productivity and
quality.
Increase land coverage under horticultural crops through micro-irrigation practices.
Establishment of atleast one model nursery in each district.
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Training should be given for small scale processing to Self-Help-Groups and marketing of
processed products at village level.
Augmenting the soil and water conservation of the areas through watershed programmes.
In recent past, through the world efforts have been made to control the vegetable pest by using
natural enemies, parasites, predators besides a host of specific insect viruses and success has been
achieved to a compatible extent (Dubey et al, 2009). This Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
strategy should be adapted in West Bengal to control diseases and pest in vegetables.
Table-5: Agro-climatic Suitability Calendar for important horticultural crops
CROP
PERIOD OF
AVAILABILIT
Y
TEMPER
ATURE
IN C
RAINFALL IN
MM
Dose of Fertilizer application for
higher yields (Kg/ ha/growing
cycle)
Organi
c
Carbon
(%)
RANGE
OF pH
N P2O5 K2O
Mango May-June 24-25 1000-20000 Requires fertile soil 1.2-2.0 5.5-6.0
Pineapple April-November 20-22 1000-1200 200-300
105-
150
130-265 1.2-2.0 5.0-5.4
Banana Year Round >22 1500-1800 50-90 60-100 150-250 1.5-2.4 5.8-6.4
Papaya Year Round 24-25 1400-1500 200-225
100-
150
120-250 1.2-2.0 6.2-6.3
Guava July-September 20-24 1000-2000
Requires fertile soil
1.2-2.0 5.5-5.8
Jackfruit June-August >24 1000-2000 1.2-2.0 6.1-6.4
Litchi May-June 24-25 1500-1800 1.2-2.0 5.5-5.9
Tomato February-April 24-26
400-500 (gr.
period)
150 200 250 1.2-2.0 7.0-7.5
Cabbage
September-
March
20-24
350-400 (gr.
Period)
150 115 240 0.8-1.5 6.0-6.2
Cauliflower
November-
March
20-24
300-400 (gr.
Period)
150 115 240 0.8-1.5 6.0-6.2)
Radish
October-
February
20-22
300-400 (gr.
period)
100 120 200 0.8-1.8 7.0-7.5
Pea January-March 18-20
500-600 (gr.
Period)
20-40 90-140 95-120 1.2-2.0 6.0-6.2)
Brinjal Year Round 20-24
500-650 (gr.
Period)
150 200 250 0.8-1.2 7.0-7.2
Onion March-April 20-22
500-600 (gr.
Period)
60-100 55-105 55-95 1.2-2.0 5.2-6.0
Ladys
Finger
April-November 20-22
600-700 (gr.
period
100-150
200-
220
230-250 1.2-1.8 5.4-6.2
Source: Sys. Ir. C (1993) and Reference-10
CONCLUDING REMARKS:
Considering that the state of West Bengal enjoys available conditions for horticultural crop cultivation, there is a
need to create awareness and make the farmers receptive to the new technology through farmers participating
demonstration and training. Training facilities with respect to growing of horticultural crops and raising nursery
has to be made available as per requirements. Therefore, there is a need for establishing a proper marketing
system so that the vast potential of horticulture crops can be explored as commercial scale cultivation through
adoption of improved production technology.
REFERENCES:
1. Agricultural Statistics for Tenth Five Year Plan (2001), Planning Commission, Government of India,
New Delhi.
2. Bhattacharyya, R. (2008); Crop diversification: A search for an alternative income of the farmers in the
state of West Bengal, International Conference on Applied Economics (ICOAE), pp-83-94.
3. Dubey, A. K., Babu, K. D and Yadav, D. S (2009); Status and prospect of horticulture in NEH region,
ENVIS Bulletin, Vol-10(2), Himalayan Ecology.
4. Economic Review (2011-2012), Statistical Appendix, published by Bureau of Applied Economics and
Statistics, Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal.
5. Ghosh, P. (2011); Carrying capacity of Indian horticulture, Current Science, Vol-102, No-6, pp-889-
893.
Geo-Analyst, Vol.2, No.1 2012
6. Kothari, C. R (2011); Research Methodology- Methods and Techniques (Second Revised Edition),
New Age International (P) Limited Publishers, New Delhi.
7. Mandal, R. B. (1982); Statistics for Geographers and Social scientists, Concept Publishing Company,
New Delhi.
8. National Horticulture Mission- Action Plan for West Bengal (2005), Prepared by Rabo India Finance
Pvt. Ltd for Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
9. State Agricultural Plan for Agriculture (2007), Prepared by Social Organization for Integrated Living
(SOIL), Submitted to NABARD.