PROBLEMS OF STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN SATARA DISTRICT

PROBLEMS OF STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN SATARA DISTRICT Dr. D.M Kumthekar V. P. Institute of Management Studies and Research, Sangli Mr. Alim A. Jafar Research Student, Dept. of Commerce and Management Shivaji University, Kolhapur Abstract The aim of this study was determine the growth and development of strawberry and production problems of strawberry. The data were collected from 330 farmers growing strawberry in the Satara district by using a face to face interview schedule.there are twenty problems being faced by the farmers, out of the problems, there are 15 to 16 major production problems facing by the strawberry farmers. They have unaware about technical knowledge of farming, new technical expertise, poor knowledge for the strawberry farming etc. Introduction India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world with an annual production of around 94 million tones that contributes of 10 percent to the total production in the world. (NHB database) India is mainly producer of mango banana, chekkus, acid lime grape, papayas, Guavas, strawberry etc.(nhb database)fruits and vegetable crops assume a unique role in India s economy by improving the income of the rural households. Cultivation of fruits and vegetable crops is labour intensive and hence, generate employment opportunities for the rural population. Fruits and vegetables are rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates etc. and hence, referred as protective foods and contribute to the nutritional security of the people. (Hegade 2013) In Maharashtra about 17.54 million M.T. of horticulture produce from an area is 2.49 m.ga, account for 7.30 percent of total horticulture production in the country (NHB database).main fruits sapota citrus and grapes contribute 54.24 per cent share in total Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 16

fruits production in Maharashtra and it is noticed from statistics that Maharashtra is the largest producer in India. However on the map of the world, strawberry production in India as compared to other countries is significantly low. The consumption pattern of this type of crop in India is also considerably very low. Strawberry is one of the important small fruits among the berries used for manufacturing of consumable sweets like Jam, Jellies, Biscuits, and cosmetic product etc. Strawberry manufacturing business providesemployment to the people and contributes in solving unemployment problem to a great extent. Strawberry is export potential product but there is no significant growth and development of strawberry production in India, because the farmers and marketing intermarries are facing various problems in respect of cultivation, production, financial, marketing and any other technical problems. Statement of the Problem Within the broad frame work of Agriculture and Horticulture, the most important and interesting area is fruits farming and marketing. Numbers of fruits are being produced in India and it includes mango, cheekus, bananas, acid lime, grape, strawberry, etc. In case of strawberry, this is less produced fruit across the India and in India only few states producer this fruit crop such in Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir Himachal parades. In case of Maharashtra, Satara district is the location where its production is being made in large quantity. In spite of this, statistic figure shows that strawberry production is significantly on low scale in India. There are many problems and reasons associated with the less production of Strawberry in India in general and study area i.e. Satara district in particulars. Objectives of the Study 1. To undertake review of growth and development of strawberry farming in India. 2. To explore the problems of strawberry Production. Hypotheses of the Study 1. There is significant difference in agreement rating for production problems----faced by the farmers. Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 17

Research Methodology The methodology adopted comprises: Data collection, selection of the study areas sample design. The methodology of data collection for present research work is planned in a manner that every bit of information pertains to different aspects of strawberry farming has been collected. The following techniques have been used in data collection for the research work as. Primary Data The primary data have been collected using the structured interview schedule. Interview schedule for the farmers contains. Famers details, crop protection and risk management, harvesting and packaging practicesand production Problems etc. Secondary Data The secondary data have been trapped to know insight about the India agriculture sector and various agriculture marketing agencies world over. The secondary data necessary for the present research work especially for the theoretical analysis has been gathered by the review of past literature and the statistical information is collected by personal visit to: Agriculture University and Colleges, APMC Satara, Wai, Javali, Koregoan and Mumbai, National Horticulture Board, (Annual Report) and Various Website etc. Selection of the Sample The researcher has calculated sample size of farmers by using Yemenes formula for finite population is given below. n = N /1+N (e) 2 n = Number of sample N= Total Population e =Margin of error = = 330 The sample size has been calculated by using above formula with a 5% level of significance. The calculated sample size came to 330. The total samples were categorized in four Talukas, as per equal proportion. After using Yemenes formula, the researcher Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 18

adopted multi stage random sampling technique for designing sample framework for the present study. In the first stage the Satara district was selected as strata. On the basis of potentiality and highest area, cultivation of four talukas have covered under Satara district and in each talukas four zones such as East, West, South and North, were considered as strata. After considering each zone villages have been selected. The researcher has selected farmers as respondents randomly from each zone/ strata Result and Discussion Strawberry Production in India In India, Strawberry is cultivated in only few states. The major strawberry producing, states of the India are Maharashtra, (Satara), Punjab, Haryana, Jammu Kashmir, Karnataka (Ute) Uttarrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and others. In the year of 2012-13 areas under strawberry approximately was 3500 Acre, whereas production was 24500 Metric tons. Table No.1 Area under Strawberry Farming in India Percentage Sr.No Year Area in Acre Increase / Decrease of Increase and Decrease 1 2007-2008 2480 ------ ------ 2 2008-2009 2550 70 2.82 3 2009-2010 2750 200 7.84 4 2010-2011 3050 300 14.55 5 2011-2012 3280 130 4.13 6 2012-2013 3500 220 6.71 7 2013-2014 3650 150 4.29 AAGR 6.69 Source: Cooperative Marketing Societies. Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 19

In India area of strawberrycultivation has ranged from 2480acre 2007-08 to 3850 2013-14. The growth rate observed that over the last 07 years of area of strawberry cultivation in satara districts continuously increased. The average growth rate is 6.69 percent during the period for 2007-08 to 2013-14. Strawberry Production Problems The success of strawberry farming depends upon the ability of the farmer to manage the problems on time. This statement analyses the production problems in strawberry farming from the preliminary survey conducted among the selected farmers the common production problems faced by them are identified and grouped in to twenty major categories. Problems were stated through relevant statement under 20 major heads considered. The farmers were asked to indicate their response on five point scales ranging from 1 for strongly disagree, to 5 for strongly Agree the higher the score, the higher will be the problem in practice. The following table provides information relating for farming problems. Table No.2 Farming and Production Problems of Strawberry Farmers Sr. No Problems Statistics SA 5 A 4 I 3 D 2 SD 1 Total Modal value 1. Lack of Soil content Frequency 69 166 0 95 0 330 for Strawberry cultivation. Percentage 20.9 50.3 0 28.8 0 100.0 4 2. Permanent labor is Frequency 67 245 18 0 0 330 required for harvesting Percentage 20.3 74.2 5.5 0 0 100.0 4 3. Incidence of crop Frequency 173 147 0 10 0 330 diseases is difficult to handle. Percentage 52.4 44.4 0 3 0 100.0 5 4. Huge capital is Frequency 43 264 0 23 0 330 required for strawberry farming practices. Percentage 13.0 80.0 0 7.4 0 100.0 4 Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 20

5. Lack of awareness of Frequency 49 153 14 114 0 330 strawberry Cultivation Percentage 14.8 45 4.2 34.5 0 100.0 4 6. Training is not available about of strawberry farming. 7. Lack of Skilled labor is a problem for practicing of strawberry farming. 8. Insurance offered by insurance companies for crop insurance. 9. Problems of high quality of plants Frequency 42 259 29 0 0 330 Percentage 12.7 78.5 8.8 0 0 100.0 4 Frequency 49 263 0 18 0 330 Percentage 14.8 79.7 0 5.4 0 100.0 4 Frequency 15 55 235 17 8 330 Percentage 4.5 16.8 71.2 5.2 1.2 100.0 3 Frequency 33 263 24 10 0 330 Percentage 10.0 79.7 7.3 3.0 0 100.0 4 10. Plants Cost is High Frequency 34 281 0 15 0 330 Percentage 10.3 85.2 0 4.5 0 100.0 4 11. Unaware about new Frequency 13 211 15 91 0 330 technical expertise Percentage 6.9 63.9 4.5 27.6 0 100.0 4 Source: Survey Data The above table explains the production problem or strawberry. Lack of Soil Content for strawberry It is found that out of 330 respondents, 45.8 percent of the respondents were strongly agree for the problem of lacks of soil is not suitable 50.3 percent or the respondents have agree about problems lack of soil is not suitable agree, 1.8 percent have indifferentopinion remaining 2.1 percent of the respondents have opinion of disagree. It is observed that majority farmers have facing problems of soil not suitable. Farmers are trained in harvesting practices. It is found that the farmers were asked the farmers are trained in harvesting practices, majority (67.9%) farmers are not facing problem of training of harvesting, 13.9 percent Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 21

farmers have strongly agree about farmers trained in harvesting practices, and remaining only 5.2 percent farmers have need of training in harvesting practices. Permanent Labor is required for Harvesting. Here farmer are asked opinion about whether permanent labor is required for harvesting. Majority (74.2%) farmers have agreed 20.3 percent farmers have strongly agreed of this problem, and only 5.2 percent farmers have opinion indifferent. It is observed that maximum number of farming have need of permanents number of farmers labor for harvesting. Incidence of Crop Diseases is difficult to Handle. The results show that, 52.4 percent farmers have strongly agree of the incidents of crop diseases being difficult to handle, 46.1 percent farmers agree, among them 1.5 percent farmers disagree of this problems. It means that majority famers have facing problems of crop diseases. Huge Capital is required for Strawberry Farming Practices. Here the farmers were asked whether huge capital is required for farming practices out of them, a majority (80%) of the farmers have agree of this problem, 13 percent farmers have strongly agree and remaining only 7 percent have disagree of this problem.it is clear that, they have need of huge capital is strawberry farming practices. Lack of Awareness of Strawberry Cultivation Majorities (45%) of the farmers are aware of strawberry cultivation 35 percent farmers have disagreed because; there is lack of awareness of strawberry cultivation.it is observed that most of the farmers are aware of the strawberry farming. Training is not available about Strawberry Here, farmers are asked to their opinion whether training is available about strawberry farming, majority 78 percent farmers opinion that there is not available training of strawberry farming, remaining 12.7 percent have strongly of this problems. It means that, there is no available of training of strawberry farming. Lack of Skilled labor The above data shows that, out of 330 respondents, majority ( 79.7%)of the farmer are facing problem of the lack of skilled labor, 14.8 percent farmers have disagree of this Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 22

problem and remaining 5.2 percent farmers have strongly agree of facing problem for lack of skilled labor. Insurance offered by Insurance Companies for crop Insurance Here, the farmers opinion about insurance offered by companies for crop insurance, out of them330 farmers, majority (71 %) percent farmers have no opinion about crop insurance because they have not information about crop insurance, 16.8 percent farmers have agreed of this statement, 4.5 percent have strongly agreed of this statement. It observed that majority farmers are not covered by insurance companies for crop Insurance. Problems of High Quality of Plants It can be observed that majority (79.9%) of the farmers expressed their opinion that, they have facing problem of high quality of plants, 10 percent farmers have disagreed, because they are not facing problem for quality of plants.it has been concluded that, there are most of the farmers are facing problems for low quality of plant, because they don t have available for high quality of plants. Plants Cost is High It can be concluded from above observation that majority 85 percent of the farmers have agreed of this problem, because plants cost is high and only 4.5 percent of the farmers have disagreed of this problem, as they have availed of plants for reasonable cost. Unaware about New technical Expertise The data reveals that, majority (80 %)farmers are unaware about new technical expertise, and only 10.30 percent of the farmers have disagreed or this problem because, they are aware about new technical expertise. Based on the above facts and figure it can be concluded that, there are majority of the farmers facing the problems of strawberry production. There are eleven problemsbeing faced by the farmers, out of the problems, there are 15 to 16 major production problems facing by the farmers.the reason that, there are many farmers that, they have unaware about technical knowledge of farming, new technical expertise, poor knowledge for the strawberry farming etc. Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 23

Testing of Hypothesis H 0 There is no significant difference in agreement rating for production problems---- faced by the farmers. H 1 - There is significant difference in agreement rating for production problems------ faced by the farmers. Kolmogorov-Smirnov D Test used for the all parameters related facing the marketing problems by the strawberry farmers in Satara district. If the calculated value of χ 2 is less than the table value at a certain level of significance for given degrees of freedom, we conclude that null hypothesis stands which means that the two attributes are independent or not associated. But if the calculated value of χ 2 is greater than its table value, our inference then should be that null hypothesis does not hold good which means the two attributes are associated and the association is not because of some chance factor but it exists in reality. Table No. 3 Table Showing Hypothesis Testing (KS Test) Sr. Sub Hypothesis Calculated Critical Result No. D Value value 1 Lack of Soil content for Strawberry cultivation 0.312121 0.074. Ho 1. 2 Permanent labor is required for 0.545455 0.074. Ho 2. harvesting 3 Incidence of crop diseases is difficult to handle. 0.569697 0.074. Ho 3. 4 Huge capital is required for Strawberry farming Practices 0.530303 0.074. Ho 4. 5 Lack of awareness of Strawberry Cultivation 0.212121 0.074. Ho 5. 6 Training is not available about of 0.512121 0.074. Ho 6. Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 24

strawberry farming. 7 Lack of Skilled labor is a problem for 0.545455 0.074. Ho 7. practicing of strawberry farming 8 Insurance offered by insurance 0.324242 0.074. Ho 8. companies for crop insurance. 9 Problems of high quality of plants 0.496970 0.074. Ho 9. 10 Plants Cost is High 0.554545 0.074. Ho 10.Reje ct 11 Unaware about new technical expertise 0.278788 0.074. Ho 11.Reje ct From the above table it is clear that, for each of sub hypothesisthe calculated value of test statistics is less than the table value of test statistics (0.074). Thus we reject all null hypotheses (H0 1 to H0 11 ). (For the purpose of present study the sample size is 330 and the critical value of D at an alpha of 0.05 level of significance is( = 0.074). It is concluded that, H 0 There is no significant difference in agreement rating for production problems faced by the farmers is being rejected. Findings Lack of Soil Content for Strawberry It is observed that majority respondents are facing problems of lack of soil contain to the strawberry faming. 1. Incidents of Crop diseases is difficult to handle The majorityof the farmers are strongly agree of the incidents of crop diseases is difficult to handle, 46.1 percent farmers were agreed, among them only 1.5 percent farmers were disagree of this problems. It means that majority of the famers have facing problems of crop diseases. 2. Lack of training for strawberry farming Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 25

The Majority of the farmers (78 %) have opinion that there is not available training of strawberry farming and 12.7 percent were strongly agreed of this problem. It means that, there is not available training of strawberry farming. 3. Lack of Skilled Labor. The Majority (79.7%) of the farmer are facing problem of the lack of skilled labor. labor is important problem in this area, the labor is not available in time to time of strawberry farming. 4. Unaware about Crop Insurance Majority of the farmers (71%) are not given opinion about crop insurance because they don t have information about crop insurance. It observed that majority farmers are not offered by insurance companies for crop Insurance. 5. Low Quality of Plants The Most of the farmers are facing problems for low quality of plants because they have not get for high quality of plants. Suggestions related to Strawberry Production 1. The information about pesticide for preventing pest and diseases must be delivering by co-operative society and agro pharmaceutical company and also more company must provide proper pesticides. The rate of pesticides must be reasonable to farmers. 2. There is need of improved and hybrid varieties of strawberry, which are pest resistant and drought-tolerant, should be supplied to the small, medium and large farmers, through the strawberry farms or nurseries owned by the Government, at a subsidized rate or even free of cost. In order to develop drought and pest resistant strawberry plants varieties, the latest bio-technologies may be applied which will achieve the maximum level of productivity. 3. It is urgent need to establish soil testing center from National horticulture board and Agriculture University for strawberry production. It should helpful to control on in soil content and farmers may easily test the soil content. Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 26

4. There is bringing awareness among of the rural people about new developments in agriculture new modern technology in the field of farming and marketing of strawberry. 5. The farmers should come together and form a cooperative marketing organization so that plants, medicinal, transportation and packing costs can be reduced. 6. Government and private sector and co-operative should be encouraging subsidy from government and investment form the private sector. To create a good policy environment which promotes investment and formation of alliances commodity based culture to overcome constraints of limited number of facilities. 7. There is a need to develop the new crop insurance scheme for strawberry cultivation from the insurance companies. To create awareness for crop insurance must be arrange workshop and seminar. Conclusion The detailed analysis on area and production of strawberry cultivation clearly show that there is positive growth rate in area and production of strawberry in the world, India, Maharashtra, as well as Satara district during the period. The plants cost and medicine cost is high facing problem of farming and production process. There are twelve production problems identified during the preliminary survey among selected farmers. So the major problems connection with production, faced by farmers are lack of training facilities cost of harvesting is too high, incidence of crop disease is difficult to handle, problems of high quality of plants, awareness about new technical expertise etc. References Hegade and Madhuri (2013) A study on Marketing Infrastructure for Fruits and Vegetables in India, Research Report, National institute of Rural development, Hyderabad. China S. S. (2002) Agricultural Marketing and Indian agricultural Marketing Kalyani Publisher, New Delhi,pp-76-79 Prime International Research Journal, Vol. III, Issue 4, August, 2016 Page 27

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