Spatiality in Pineapple Cultivation and its Economics – A Study in West Bengal

Abstract

India contributes about one-tenth of global area and production of Pineapple (Ananas comos) and therefore plays a significant role in the trade and marketing of this fruit. About one-fifth of country's total pineapple production is contributed by West Bengal and thereby, has great importance. Again, Darjeeling and North Dinajpur, two North Bengal Districts shared the major bulk of pineapple in the state and an Agri-Export Zone on pineapple has been established in this region by the Indian Government too. A study with 100 sample pineapple growers in each district (i.e., North Dinajpur and Darjeeling) reveals some spatial pattern in pineapple cultivation in this region of Eastern India. The avocation proves its worth as it has the potentiality of yielding a great profitability. A pineapple grower is found to be reaping a net sum of Rs. 3 lakhs (per hectare) from this agribusiness avocation. Further, a minimum Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1: 2.55 proves the great prospect of this avocation. Social parameters like farm family education, educational standard of the decision making family head, type of family have significantly positive association with pineapple fruit yield while age of the family head have negative association with it. Again, important technical parameters like application of organic manures and nitrogenous fertilizers, nos. of planting materials used etc. have positive association with pineapple fruit yield. Though a threat is coming from the competitive venture like tea, the pineapple growers are thriving well. Necessary protective measures in the form of market arrangement, knowledge dissemination, reviving processing units etc, are required to safeguard the all important avocation for uplifting/upholding the social and economic status of farming folk of this zone.