Horticulture sector in Uttar Pradesh (India): Regional trends and its determinants

Abstract: The paper examines the role of horticulture sector in Uttar Pradesh at disaggregate level from 2004-05 to 2015-16. The share of horticulture sector in gross cropped area has not only been gradually increasing but has witnessed an increase in productivity of fruits, vegetables and spices. The value of output of various types of horticultural crops grown at a regional level reveals mixed trends while the value of output of horticulture by its sub sectors has accelerated considerably with its rate being the highest in Bundelkhand as compared to the other regions. The results of regression reveal that the factors such cold storage, agricultural markets, agricultural sector loan, expense on district level schemes, electrified villages, literacy level, net irrigated area have positive and significant impact while maximum temperature has negative but significant impact on per hectare value of output. It concludes that shifting orientation from cereal dominance to horticultural and high value crops via the instrument of crop diversification could prove to be immensely useful in supplementing farmers’ income. The development of agricultural and rural infrastructure besides value chain development and food processing in specialty agriculture can help the horticulture sector to flourish considerably in the long run.