Tropical & Subtropical Fruits

Scope and importance of fruit crops

Scope and importance of fruit crops
Fruit growing is one of the important and age old practices, practiced in India since ancient times. Cultivation of fruit crops plays an important role in overall status of the mankind and the nation. The standard of living of the people of a country is depending upon the production and per capita consumption of fruits. Fruit growing have more economic advantages.
I. Economic importance

• High productivity: High yield per unit area: From a unit area of land more yield is realized from fruit crops than any of the agronomic crops. The average yields of Papaya, Banana and Grapes are 10 to 15 times than that of agronomic crops.
• High net profit: Through, the initial cost of establishment of an orchard is high, it is compensated by higher net profit due to higher productivity or high value of produce.
Eg- Wheat/GN/Ragi- 3.0 -4.0 tonnes/ha-25-35,000-00,
Grapes/Mango/Banana-20-40t/ha-1.5-2.5 lakh/ha.
• Source of raw material for agro based industries: Fruit farming provides raw materials for various agro based industries- canning and preservation (fresh fruits), coir industries (coconut husk), pharmaceutical industry (Aonla, Papaya, Jamun) Transporting and packaging industries etc.
• Efficient utilization of resources: Growing of fruits being perennial in nature, enables grower to remain engaged throughout the year in farm operations and to utilize fully the resources & assets like machinery, labour, land water for production purpose throughout the year compared to agronomic crops.
• Utilization of waste and barren lands for production: Although, most of the fruits crops require perennial irrigation and good soil for production, there are many fruit crops of hardy in nature, Mango, Ber, Cashew, Custard apple, Aonla, Phalsa, Jamun etc. which are grown on poor shallow, undulated soils considered unsuitable for growing grain/ agronomical crops.
• Foreign exchange: Many fresh fruits, processed products and spices are exported to several countries earning good amount of foreign exchange.
II. Nutritional importance

• Importance of fruits in human diet is well recognized. Man cannot live on cereals alone.
  
• Fruits and vegetables are essential for balanced diet and good health.
  
• Nutritionist advocates 60-85g of fruits and 360 gm.
  
• Vegetables per capita per day in addition to cereals, pulses, egg etc.
  
• Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals without which human body cannot maintain proper health and develop resistance to disease they also contain pectin, cellulose, fats, proteins etc.