26 Value Chain Analysis of Select Crops in North Eastern States

In the state, pineapple is mostly grown on hill slopes as a rain-fed crop. Giant Kew and Queen
are the two leading varieties being grown. Kew is suitable for processing whereas Queen is
grown for table purposes. In citrus, Khasi mandarin and orange are popular, besides Assam,
Eureka and Kachai lemon. Remarkable area of hatkora (citrus) used as a spice is recorded in
the warm and humid areas of Chandel and Jiribam.
Due to favourable climate, Manipur has a good potential for the production of off
season vegetables. Current off season vegetables grown in the state are cabbage,
tomato, peas and beans. However, large scale production and optimum yield are yet to
be achieved.

Salient Features of Horticulture in Manipur

ˆˆ The state is characterised by three distinct agro climatic zones, but it is
net importer of horticulture produce from the other neighbouring states as well
as Burma.

ˆˆ Khasi mandarin is being grown in Tamenglong district but the orchards are old and
senile and easily qualify as wild produce.

ˆˆ Fruits occupy more than 50 percent of total horticulture produce but forced to consume
locally due to exceptionally very high logistic cost.

ˆˆ It has emerged during discussions with the stakeholders that there is a good
potential for exporting some horticultural crops like Pineapple, citrus, subject to
the supportive environment in term of logistics, law and order and infrastructural
support.

Meghalaya
Agro-Climatic Zones & Potential Crops Grown
The state has two distinct agro-climatic zones. The distribution of horticultural crops among
these zones is as follows:

Table 14: Agro-climatic zones in Meghalaya

Agro-Climatic Zones Potential Horticultural Crops Grown Districts/Areas
Mild Tropical Hill zone Pineapple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Potato, Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills,
Vegetables, Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Jaintia Hills, Part of Garo Hills
Mandarin, Black Pepper
Mild Tropical Plain Zone Pineapple, Mandarin, Potato, Vegetables, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills
Cashewnut, Black Pepper
Source: “An In-depth Market Study and Impact Assessment Report”

Horticulture Scenario
As per the available data during the period (2010-11), horticulture crops occupy nearly
73 thousand ha in the state. Among various horticulture crops, vegetable crops occupied
maximum area (57.20%), followed by fruit crops (27.37%) and spices (15.43%).
 Chapter 3 | Horticulture Scenario in North East Region
27

Table 15: Area, Production and Productivity of Horticultural Crops in Meghalaya (2010-11)
Crops Meghalaya NER India
Area Production Productivity Productivity Productivity
(ha) (MT) (MT/ha) (MT/ha) (MT/ha)
Fruits 20,000 131,700 6.59 8.57 11.73
Vegetables 41,800 356,500 8.53 10.13 17.25
Spices 11,276 63,904 5.67 5.28 1.82
Grand Total 73,076 552,104 7.56 9.11 12.73
Source: NHB

During the period, the state recorded about 552 thousand MT of horticulture production.
As far as production is concerned, vegetable crops contributed about 64.57% to the
horticulture production basket of the state, followed by fruit crop contributing 23.85% and
spices 11.57%.
The overall productivity of horticultural crops in the state was found to be lower (7.56 MT/ha)
in comparison to national and NER productivity levels.

Table 16: C
 rop-wise Area, Production and Productivity of Horticultural Crops in
Meghalaya (2010-11)
Sl. No. Crops Meghalaya NER India
Area Production Productivity Productivity Productivity
(ha) (MT) (MT/ha) (MT/ha) (MT/ha)
A Fruits
1 Papaya 800 6,800 8.50 15.71 39.75
2 Citrus 9,500 38,900 4.09 5.30 8.82
3 Pineapple 9,700 86,000 8.87 11.93 15.95
Total Fruits 20,000 131,700 6.59 8.57 11.73
B Vegetables
1 Brinjal 858 11,641 13.57 14.02 17.49
2 Cabbage 1,644 36,022 21.91* 18.47 21.55
3 Cauliflower 1,000 35,271 35.27* 15.72 18.29
4 Okra 717 5,868 8.18 10.99 11.61
5 Onion 363 3,078 8.48 3.15 14.21
6 Peas 740 4,780 6.46 2.64 9.51
7 Potato 17,722 162,445 9.17 8.77 22.72
8 Tomato 1,826 27,522 15.07 19.83 19.45
9 Other Veg. 16,930 69,873 4.13 7.50
Total Veg. 41,800 356,500 8.53 10.13 17.25
C Spices
1 Ginger 9,321 54,009 5.79
2 Turmeric 1,955 9,895 5.06
Total Spices 11,276 63,904 5.67 5.28 1.82
Grand Total 73,076 552,104 7.56 9.11 12.73

* Cabbage and cauliflower productivity is greater than NER and national average productivity
Source: NHB
28 Value Chain Analysis of Select Crops in North Eastern States

Figure 27: Fruit-wise Share Figure 28: Fruit-wise Share

in Production 2010-11 in Production (2010-11)

Papaya 4%
Papaya 5%

Pineapple 49% Citrus 47%

Pineapple 65% Citrus 30%

Source: ISAP Analysis & NHB

Pineapple has largest area under cultivation i.e., 49% followed by citrus (47%) and papaya
(4%) while production-wise also pineapple has largest share of 65% followed by citrus (30%)
and papaya (5%).

Figure 29: Vegetable-wise Share Figure 30: Vegetable-wise Share

in Area 2010-11 in Production 2010-11

Cabbage 4%
Brinjal 3%
Brinjal 2% Cauliflower 2% Other Veg. 20% Cabbage 10%
Okra 2%
Onion 1% Cauliflower 10%
Other Veg. 41% Peas 2% Tomato 8% Okra 2%
Onion 1%
Peas 1%

Potato 45%
Potato 42%
Tomato 4%

Source: ISAP Analysis & NHB

In terms of vegetables, potato contributes 42% of area under vegetable cultivation, followed
by other vegetables (41%), cabbage (4%), peas, brinjal, okra and cauliflower (2% each) and
onion (1%). While production-wise also, potato shares 45% in the total vegetable production
followed by other vegetables (20%), cabbage and cauliflower (10% each), tomato (8%), brinjal
(3%), okra (2%) and peas and onion (1% each).
A wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate fruits such as mandarin, orange,
pineapple, banana, lemon, guava, pear and plum etc. are grown all over the state. A large
variety of vegetables, both indigenous and exotic are grown across a wide range of agro-
climatic zones.
The productivity status of cabbage and cauliflower in the state is significant and found higher
(21.91 & 35.27 MT/ha) as compared to the national (18.47 & 15.72 MT/ha) and NER (21.55 &
18.29 MT/ha) productivity levels. In case of cauliflower, Meghalaya is the leading state in the
country, in terms of productivity; however, it is lagging behind Tamil Nadu in case of cabbage
productivity (56.13 MT/ha) in the country.
 Chapter 3 | Horticulture Scenario in North East Region
29

Figure 31: Seasonality of Major Crops in Meghalaya (2010-11)

Crops Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Banana
Jackfruit
Pineapple
Mandarin
Chillies
Black Pepper
Mango
Potato
Turmeric
Ginger
K. Vegetables
R. Vegetables
Beginning Peak Lean

Source: “An In-depth Market Study and Impact Assessment Report”

The higher altitudes provide a conducive ecosystem to grow traditional vegetables such as
potato and cole crops during the rainy season. Tuber and root crops such as sweet potato
and tapioca, spices such as turmeric, ginger, chillies, etc. also grow abundantly. Vegetables
such as tomato, cabbage and chayote are the major off season vegetables which are supplied
to other neighbouring states.
Over a period of time, Meghalaya has postioned itself not only as a major supplier of
vegetables to the neighbouring states but also as an off season vegetable producer and
supplier for the distant market.

Salient Features of Horticulture in Meghalaya

ˆˆ Two distinct agro climatic zones which make it conducive to produce a wide range of
vegetable crops and these vegetable crops qualify for off season vegetables.
ˆˆ Production belts happen to be close to the consumption market as well as exit points/
distribution transit points.
ˆˆ More than half of the horticulture produce is contributed by vegetable production,
but the productivity of vegetable crops is half of the national average productivity
and even less than the NER vegetable productivity, however, paradoxically cole crops
recorded the highest productivity.
ˆˆ A substantial quantity of vegetable finds its way to Bangladesh through unofficial
channels.
ˆˆ Over a period of time, due to the climate and its strategic location, Meghalaya has
emerged as an off season vegetable production hub, not only for NER, but also for
the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh along with the distant Kolkata market.
However, during discussions with stakeholders, it has emerged that climatic changes
have started making a detrimental impact on the seasonality and productivity which
can lead to its losing the competitive advantage of off season vegetables.
ˆˆ Lack of post-harvest infrastructure, specifically modern vegetable packing houses
is a major impediment in maintaining the comparative advantage in the changing
market scenario.
30 Value Chain Analysis of Select Crops in North Eastern States

Mizoram
Agro-Climatic Zones & Potential Crops Grown
The state has three distinct agro-climatic zones. The distribution of horticultural crops among
these zones is as follows:

Table 17: Agro-Climatic Zones in Mizoram

Agro-Climatic Zones Potential Horticultural Crops Grown Districts/Areas
Temperate Zone Passion Fruit, Plum, Peach, Pear, Eastern and South Mizoram, Major portion
Vegetables, Pineapple, Lime, Orange of Champhai, Saitual of Aizawl District. S.
Vanlaiphai areas of Lunglei District and Saiha
Tuipang areas of Chhimtuipui District
Subtropical Zone Mango, Guava, litchi, Jackfruit, Orange, Central Aizawl, Ngopa areas of Champhai &
Pineapple, Vegetables Lunglei sub-division of Southern Mizoram
Tropical Zone Pineapple, Citrus, Banana, Papaya, Kolasib area of North Mizoram, Mamit areas
Mango, Sapota, Vegetables of Western part of Mizoram bordering Tripura,
Demagiri (Lunglei sub-div) and Chawngte sub-
division of Southern Mizoram
Source: “An In-depth Market Study and Impact Assessment Report”

Horticulture Scenario
As per the available statistics (2010-11), horticulture area in the state accounted for more than
69 thousand ha with production of 490 thousand MT of various crops. The overall productivity
of horticulture crops in the state is around 7.03 (MT/ha) which is lower as compared to the
national (9.11 MT/ha) and NER (12.73 MT/ha) productivity levels.

Table 18: Area, Production and Productivity of Horticultural Crops in Mizoram (2010-11)
Crops Mizoram NER India
Area Production Productivity Productivity Productivity
(ha) (MT) (MT/ha) (MT/ha) (MT/ha)
Fruits 28,618 218,169 7.62 8.57 11.73
Vegetables 21,120 168,909 8.00 10.13 17.25
Spices 20,048 103,858 5.18 5.28 1.82
Grand Total 69,786 490,936 7.03 9.11 12.73
Source: Directorate of Horticulture, Aizawl

Horticulture area in the state consists of fruits (41.01%), vegetables (30.26%) and spices
(28.73%) area. In terms of share in the production basket of the state, fruits contribute nearly
44.44%, vegetables 34.41% and spices 21.16%.

Figure 32: Share in Area and Production of Horticulture Crops (2010-11)

44.44%
41.01%

34.41%
30.26%

28.73%

21.16%

Area Production
Fruits Vegetables Spices

Source: ISAP Analysis & Directorate of Horticulture Aizawl