Estimation of marketable surplus and post-harvest losses of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

In India, Uttar Pradesh lies second place after Bihar in case of area under guava and ranks third after Bihar and Maharashtra in case of production of guava. Guava has a specific significance among other horticultural crops grown in the state.Study indicates that on an average 99.04 percent of the total produce was estimated to be available for sale but the actual quantity sold was only 98.43 percent. Unlike food grains both the marketable and marketed surpluses in this case were very high. This was only because of the commercial nature of this product, which is produced mainly for sale. Total physical losses born by the farmer/PHCs up to first level of marketing came to 9.47 percent of the total fruits drawn. And the real figure against marketable surplus was 90.20 percent. Farm size group wise decomposition is shown that the proportion of marketable surplus in total fruits harvested goes on increasing with the size of farm while that of total physical losses goes on decreasing.The major constraints faced by produces were non-availability of skilled labour, lack of capital, hygienic conditions, high degree of competition, and lack of proper packaging material at reasonable prices.Non availability of scientific storage facility was one of the major factors contributing to lower returns from guava. Therefore, suitable storage facilities are essential to stabilize the return of guava growers by increasing the storage life of the fruit.