PROJECT REPORT ON PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF DATES IN KUTCH REGION-TRENDS AND CONSTRAINTS IN MARKETING DATE WITH SUGGESTION FOR

IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

SUBMITTED BY LOKESH MALAV SUMMER INTERNSHIP PGDM 2010-12 BATCH

SUBMITTED TO

NATIONAL HORTICULTURE BOARD APRIL-MAY 2011

Introduction Of Date Palm

Dates are the fruits of feather-palm which grow in subtropical and desert areas throughout North Africa, the Arab states, Middle east, California, Australia and India. It belongs to the family Palmaceae There are about 12 species, but phoenix dactylifera is most common species. All species of date palm are dioecious male(staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers being produced in clusters on separate palms in the axils of the leaves. In India cultivation of this crop is restricted to western border adjoining to Pakistan and the commercial cultivation of the crop is done only in coastal belt of Kutch district of Gujarat It is believed that this crop has its origin Southern Iraq about 4000BC but its reference have also been found in Ancient Egypt.

Introduction Of Date Palm(cont.)

The old record reveals that Date palm groves on the north-western border of India have developed from the seeds thrown by the army camps and partly from the seeds and offshoots planted by the settlers. The settlers used to visit middle-east countries for Haj and also for trade from where they brought a lot plant material. Historical records indicates that during 1969, the Maharaja of kachchh Shri Pragmalji imported four Date offshoots from Arab country and planted in there garden at Bhuj. The sea trade between kachchh and Arab countries facilitated in substantial import of date fruit and date products.. Thus, the date groves of kachchh may be about 200 year old.

Diagrammatic construction of a date palm with its root system

Varieties and Nutritional value of Date fruit

A few important varieties grown in main date palm producing countries are following Barhi, Dayri, Deglet Noor, Halawy, Hayany,Khadrawy,khastawy,Maktoom,Medjool, Saidy,Sayer,Thoory ,zahdi,Amir Hajj, Iteema, Migraf , Manakbir. In Date groves in kachchh each tree has a separate identity. However , a study conducted at Date Palm Research station, mundra on evaluation of seventeen varieties indicated that the varieties Barhee and Halawy are more suitable for cultivation in the kachchh region. Date is a highly nutritious fruit. It is used as a fresh (khalal) for dietary consumption and also it is used for making processed products. Date fruit provide quantity of sugar, iron, potassium, calcium and nicotinic acid. Small amount of protein copper, magnesium, chlorine, sulphur, vit A1, B1,&B2are also present in Date pulp.

Area , production and export share of date palm producing countries

country productio n (tones) Egypt Iran 1100000 880000 Iraq Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia UAE Pakistan Algeria sudan Oman Libya Others Source- FAO STAT, 2001 760000 650000 450000 330000 240000 140000 1140000 Algeria Morocco oman Pakistan UAE Tunisia others 11 5 4 8 13 37 5 9 2 830000 Iran 18 19 Banglades h Malasia Uk France Pakistan other 2 2 2 5 24 3 16 10 11 5 India UAE 36 24 country % Area Export share % country import %

Kutch Region at a glance

Kutch is the second largest district of India after Laddakh with an area covering 45652 km2 It is surrounded by the greater and little Ranns of north and east, the Arabian sea on the west and gulf of kutch in the south. Kutch has the privilege of having 369 km long seacoast. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood but animal husbandry is also equally important, as vast areas of land are available. There are 97 rivers, big and small but none of them is perennial. Kutch district is one of the preferred destinations for most of the mineral based industries and also known for handicrafts . Due to presence of two important ports, Kandla and Mundra, Kutch district accounts for a very high cargo movement . Major Crops being produced in Kutch district are oilseed, bajra, jowar, cotton, pulses,date palms and brinjal

Kutch Region at a glance

Geographical Location22.44 to 24.41North (Latitude)

Temperature-

68.89 to 71.45 East (Longitude) 4 Centigrade (Minimum) 45 Centigrade (Maximum)

Average Rainfall- 587 mm Area- 45,652 sq.km. District Headquarter- Bhuj Talukas- 10 Villages-949

Why focusing on Dates in Kutch?

Dates require a hot climate and are considered as a high saline resistant crop. They need a well drained, deep sandy or sandy loam type of soil having adequate aeration (12%) with a bulk density of 11.5 g/cm3 and an available water holding capacity of at least 15% . kutch is a semi arid zone with sandy or sandy loam type of soil and a low precipitation rate of approximately 250 mm annually. The salinity of water is also growing day by day and making it unsuitable for other conventional crops. Thus these conditions make kutch the ideal and primary date producing area in India. The potential for expansion is enormous, since the date fruit from kutch are harvested a month ahead of those in the other parts of the world.

Introduction to Organization
Set up by Govt. of India in 1984 Under societies registration act 1860 To promote overall development of Horticulture Special focus on reducing Post-harvest losses.

Objective of NHB
Development of high quality horticulture farms Develop post harvest management infrastructure Strengthen market information system Assist R&D programmers Provide training & education to farmer Promote consumption of fruits & vegetables.

Schemes of NHB
Development of commercial horticulture crops & PHM Capital Investment subsidy for Cold storages Technology development & promotion of horticulture Market Information services for horticulture crops Horticulture promotion services

Research Methodology
Scope of study-Bhuj, Anjar, Mandvi, Mundra and Naktrana Population-All the Date growing farmer in Kutch region Research Design:-Descriptive research design Data Collection Method: -Personal Survey Method Sampling Method- Convenience Sampling Method Sample Size- 50 Farmer Sample unit:- Individuals Data Collection Instrument: - Structured Questionnaire

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To know the total production and area under date palm in kutch region. To know the Trends and constraints in marketing of dates. To suggest the farmer for improvement in production and marketing of dates. To Suggest interventions to be adopted by NHB

OBSERVATION ACROSS DISTRICT

Propagation in date palm by offshoot Pollination by hand pollinator. dead branches and Fruit thinning in date palm. Intercropping in date palm. Drip irrigation. Bamboo Support to fruit bunches. Protection of date fruit from birds and insects attack and Maintenance of temperature by Covering of fruit bunch with brown paper and Shade net Protection of fruit bunch from rain by wrapping high density polyethylene. Grading and packaging of Date fruit in punnets and CFB

Area and Production of Date palm in kutch (2007 to 2010)

Sr. No Area (ha.) Production (tons) Area (ha.) Production (tons) Area (ha.) Productio n (tons) Taluka 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010

1 2 3 4

Abdasa Anjar Bhachau Bhuj

368 2100 546 840

3945 22512 5853 9005

375 2103 548 1075

2625 14721 3836 7525

395 2123 568 1095

2765 14861 3976 7665

5
6 7 8 9 10

Lakpat
Mandvi Mundra Nakhtrana Rapar Gandhidham

106
945 8085 640 378 30

1136
10030 86671 6861 4052 322

106
965 9064 660 388 30

742
6755 63448 4620 2716 210

126
985 9084 680 408 50

882
6895 63588 4760 2856 350

Total

14038

150487

15314

107198

15514

108598

Source- District horticulture Department

Area under Date palm in kutch (2007 to 2010)

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000

5000
4000 3000 2000 1000

2007-08 2008-09

2009-10

Production of Date palm in kutch (2007 to 2010)

90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 2007-08 40000 2008-09

30000
20000 10000

2009-10

Findings across the district

Farmer in Mundra taluka cultivates datepalm on farm bund only Quality and Production of dates decreses year by year. Only few farmers who have sound financial condition cultivates imported variety Barhee and uses proper cultivation practices. The problem in production is lack of skilled labour, saline water probem, problem of Insect and pest, and adverse climate condition. Lack of cold storage and processing industry as well as organized market for dates is also there. Colour preference in local market.

Findings across the district(cont.)

Variation in fruits of each date palm of local selection. Problem in pollination, Bunch management and in harvesting is there for Local variety . The price of fresh date fruit in local market during last three year is in range between Rs. 40-60 and in metro cities Rs 100-120 while in European market price was Rs 140-160 per kg. Lack of awareness about this Fresh fruit of date palm in India and high perishable nature of this fruit is main constraints in marketing of dates. Limited marketing of local selection varieties due to heterogeneous nature in colour and taste while Barhee variety due to its uniformity has vast market.

Suggestion for improvement in production and marketing of dates

First of all we have to change the perception of farmer regarding this crop that even it is a hardy crop but if proper cultivation practices like irrigation, fertigation, is followed you can increase your economic yield For increase in production proper management should be there like proper bunch management ,pruning of old leaves, thinning of poverly pollinated bunches well as thinning of bunch from center so that each fruit get proper sunlight. Extension services by date palm expert or horticulturist should be there. Tour of date growing countries should be arrange by state government for the farmers . Identification of superior variety and there multification is very much essential for improvement in qualitative production and to solve marketing problem for local variety Government should increase subsidy for plant material and drip irrigation.

Suggestion for improvement in production and marketing of dates (cont.)

create awareness about this holy and delicious fresh fruit . Establishment of a modern cool chains right from the production site till the delivery of the fruit to the market An organized market of dates should be established in Mundra. Providing a separate boggy in railway from Bhuj at the peak period of ripening is another recommendation of farmer to solve the marketing problem. Cargo facility from Bhuj is also helpful to cover national and international market and to solve the marketing problem. Establishment of processing industry as well as vine industry can solve marketing problem upto some extend .

STEPS THAT COULD BE TAKEN BY NATIONAL HORTICULTURE BOARD

1.The first step that should be taken by NHB is to creat awareness about this fresh fruit in India because advertisement is very costly and farmer can not afford such a large investment on advertisement. 2 .Facilitate advisory to the government about the export planning, monitoring domestic price situation and input supply assistance to farmers. 3. Forecast about weather, crop storage and price situation. 4.Farmers visit could be held so as to demonstrate and train them about the best practices to be adopted for cultivation of Date palm. 5.Interventions for development of adequate market infrastructure. 6. Facilitate advisory to the farmers about the present and future market prices and arrival trends for planning their crop and its storage or supply to market.

Conclusion
Finally I would like to conclude that Date palm is very suitable crop for kutch region and has huge export potential because in India it is harvested one month earlier than other date growing countries. only problem is in marketing side which can be solved by establishing sound marketing channel , cold chain right from production site till the delivery of fruit to the market and by creating awareness of this fresh date fruit in all the part of India.