Lecture 1: Scope, Importance and Nutritional value of fruit and plantation

crops
Fruit crops:

It is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering.

Scope of fruit production

1. Need to increase production to meet dietary requirements: The per capita consumption
of fruits in India is very low e.g. USA 202kg/capita / year, Pakistan 100 kg/ capital/ year
and India 10 kg / capita/ year. The low consumption of fruits is only due to very small
fraction of the total cropped area under fruits. India needs to step up the production of fruits
till the country becomes self sufficient and process of fruit fall to the level at which both
rich and poor can afford to buy. The prices of fruits are so high, as to keep fresh fruits out
of reach of large population with more efficient production and marketing, the price could
be reduced as to increase consumption of fruits and still provide good profits to the grower.
2. Increasing irrigation facilities: Most of the commercial fruit tress requires perennial
irrigation. The area receiving perennial irrigation which was 6% in 1960 reached a level
of 12.5 - 13% today. By exploiting all the resources, the maximum area that can be brought
under irrigation would be 25% of the total cropped area. Thus, there is still scope to
increasing irrigated area in near future as government is giving priorities to such to works.
This would be definitely help to increase area under fruit crops.
3. Scope for increasing area under dry land fruits: It is not entirely true that all the fruits
require perennial irrigation. There are many fruit trees like ber, custard apple, cashew nut,
aonla etc. which are hardly in nature and can be grown purely under rain fed condition. In
India 86 million ha and in Maharashtra 35 lakh ha land is available for development of
sound technology of rained horticulture; there is good scope to put these lands under dry
land fruit crops. This would also be necessary to arrest shrinkage of land available for
cultivation on per capita basis due to population pressure.
4. Increasing urbanization and change in food habits: Increasing urbanization due to
industrial growth has increased demands for fruits. Change in food habits is also being
noticed due to education and assured income which has also helped in increasing demands
for fruits.
5. Increased transport facilities: Most of the fruits are highly perishable, having less storage
life and need quick disposal after harvest. Lack of good transportation system was one of
the major constraints in are expansion of fruits. However, now a days quick transport
facilities by road rail and air are available enabling growers to transport fruits, to long
distance markers in good condition in a short period of time. Increasing in transport
facilities in transport facilities provide scope for fruit farming.
6. Increasing in cold storage facilities and pre- cooling center: Fruits have highly
perishable and have less shelf- life. During the peak harvest periods, the market gluts
reduce prices of fruits. Cold storage facilities help to regulate market supply and stabiles
the rates. Similarly, to extend shelf life, pre cooling after harvest is necessary. This would
help to increase more area under fruit in the year to come.
 7. Scope for agro- based industries: Even after much of industrial progress, country
depends on agricultural sectors for employment is going to come from agricultural sectors.
Development of agro- based industries to generate employment is a must to keep our
economy on sound footing. Besides sugarcane fruit farming is the only area where is a
potential to develop agro-based industries like canning and preservation and hence, the
scope in near future.
8. Development of new techniques: Use of growth regulators, in situ grafting, drip irrigation
for water economy, tissue culture special horticultural practices like ringing, girdling,
notching, Bahar treatment, high density planting etc. have helped to increase productivity
and also bring more lands under cultivation.
9. Evaluation of new high yielding varieties and introduction of new crops: Development
of high yielding of fruit like pomegranate, Ganesh, P-23, P-26, G-137 , mango – Ratna,
Amravati, Mallika, Sindhu, grapes- Thompson seedless , guava- Sardar, (L-49, cashewnut-
Vengurla No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have to bring more area under fruits. Similarly, introduction
of commercial cultivation of some of the new crops like ber aonla etc. would also indicate
scope for area expansion.
10. Availability of loan facilities: Fruit crops being capital intensive, lack of capital was one
of the major bundles in the expansion. Now a days there are several cooperative and
commercial banks providing finance for fruit farming which has increased the scope for it.
11. Government Incentive: Realizing the need for area expansion of fruit crops, the
governments of Maharashtra have started a very ambitious programme of fruit
development under which it gives 100% subsidy to marginal farmers and farmers from
backward communities and 70% subsidy for others on establishment and Maintenance of
fruit orchard for a period of 3 years. This would increase the area under fruits. It is expected
that due to this pregame, the area under fruits in Maharashtra by 94-95 would be 558000
hectares.
12. Scope for Export of Fruits: Market surveys in Europe and other markets have revealed
that is a good scope or export of grapes, mango, banana, pomegranate, citrus, ber, cashew
to gulf and European markers. The availability of these markets would be increase area
under these fruits.
13. Availability of cheap labor
14. Very high production of fruits
15. Suitability of climate for fruits are some of the other factors indicating scope for fruits

Importance of fruit crops

Fruit growing is one of the important and paying branches of horticulture. It has been practiced in
India since times. The art and science has now developed into one of the most deviled skillful and
intensive forms of land utilization. The standard of living of the people of countries is judge by
the production and per capita conservation of fruits. Fruit growing has several economic
advantages.

Economic Importance
 1. Per unit yields are high: Well maintained and established orchards bring better returns
than many of the field crops. From a unit area of land more yield/ income is realized than
any of the agronomic crops. The average yields of papaya and banana are 10 to 15 times
more than of agronomical crops. Out of the total area under cultivation grain crops account
for 72% with a production of 210 million tons. While due to very high productivity fruit
corps yields over 60 million tons from only 0.7 % of the total cultivable area.
2. High net profits: Though the initial cost off establishment of an orchard is high. It is
compensated by higher productivity or due to high value of produce. In cashew though the
average per tree yields is less (4 to 5 kg / plant) due to its market value (200 to 250 Rs /
kg) it fetches higher economic returns (800 to 1000 Rs/plant.).
3. Source of raw material for the agro based industries: Fruit farming provides raw
material for various agro based industries like canning and preservation (fresh fruits).
4. Efficient utilization of resources: Agronomic crops are seasonal in nature and hence,
farmers have to engage themselves in other occupations during slack seasons, but fruit
growing being perennial in nature, enables grower to remain engaged throughout the year
in farm operations and utilize full the resources and assets like machinery, in farm, land,
water for production purpose through the year.
5. Utilization of waste and barren lands for production: Although most of the fruit crop
requires perennial and good soils for production, there are many fruit drops of hardy in
nature like mango, ber, cashew, custard apple, aonla, phalsa, jamun etc. which are grown
on poor, shallow, undulated soils considered unsuitable for growing grain/ agronomical
crops. Traditional farming proves uneconomic on waste lands. Development of cashew
and mango plantations on hill slopes in Kankan where even ragi cannot be grown, have
brought additional revenge to the growers.
6. Ability of earning foreign exchange: Many fresh fruits and processed products and spices
are exported to several countries earning good amount of foreign exchange. Out of the total
exports of agricultural produce of Rs. 2900 million. Horticultural crops which mostly
include fruits and its produce contribute Rs.1546 million (52% of total export of argil.
produce). India earns a foreign exchange of Rs. 277 .4 cores by exporting spices.
7. Onetime capital investment: Most of the fruit crops are perennial in nature and hence,
there is no recurring expenditure of planting and layout of a fruit orchard.
8. Continuous flow of money: Harvesting of most of the fruit is of continuous in nature and
being highly perishable, need to be marketed immediately after harvest. This provides a
source of continuous flow of inputs and for other expenses of immediate nature as against
agronomic crops which are harvested at home time.
• Fruit growing in kitchen garden helps to reduce family budget on purchase of fruits.
• Planting of trees helps to maintain ecological balance and to increase precipitations of the
locality. Fruit trees for such planting programmers also generate economy.
• Fruit tree farming also reduce soil erosion, silting tanks and air pollution.
• Generate employment: Fruit tree farming being highly intensive and skilful enterprise.
Nutritional value of fruits
Importance of fruits in human diet is well recognized. Man cannot live on cereals. Fruit and
vegetables are essential for balance diet and good health. Nutrionist advocate 60- 85 g of fruits
and 360 g vegetable per capita per day in addition to cereals, pulse, egg etc.

Fruits are good source of vitamins and minerals without which human body cannot maintain
proper health and develop resistance to disease. They also contain pectin, cellulose which
stimulates intestinal activities and energy giving substances like oils, fats, and proteins. Many
fruits have medical purpose.

A. As a source of vitamins:
• Vitamin A: It is a fat soluble and essential for growth and reproduction deficiency cause
cessation of growth, night blindness, roughness and crouton of skin in children formation
of stones in kidney and bladder and pimping. Carotene which is a precursor of vitamin A
is found in different fruits e.g. Mango, papaya, fruit, dates, banana. Mango is a rich source
of carotenes. Alphonso variety of mango is particularly rich in β carotene.
• Vitamin B: Deficiency causes berry berry disease, loss of appetite, loss in weight, fall in
body temperature, sore throat etc. It is found in fruit like cashew nut, almond, banana,
apple, bale, litchi, papaya and pomegranate.
• Vitamin C: It is water soluble and essential for general good health. Deficiency cause
unhealthy gums, tooth decay, bleeding of gums, swelling of limbs, scurvy disease delay in
wound healing, enlargement of heart and damage to heart muscles. It is available in fruits
like aonla, guava, citrus fruits, ber, strawberry, pineapple, etc. Barbados cherry, aonla,
guava and citrus are rich source of Vitamin C.
• Dried apricot, raisins, date palm, banana and custard apple are rich in carbohydrates.
• Cashewnut, almond and walnuts are good source of proteins.
• Walnut, almond and cashewnut are rich source of fats.
• Dried karonda and date (pind) are known for their iron richness.
• Guava, Indian plum, apple, mango, custard apple, oranges, pomegranate, sapota,
grapes (green) are rich source of flavonoids (antioxidants).
Different pigments (pigments are responsible for antioxidative property) found in fruit
crops are:
i. Anthocyanins: Strawberry, cherry, plum, blueberries, grapes and pomegranate
ii. Anthoxanthins: Pear, custard apple, banana, apple, gooseberry, guava
iii. Carotenoids: Mango, orange, papaya, jackfruit, peaches, pink grape, pineapple, sapota
iv. Chlorophyll: Guava, Gooseberry (Ribes sp.), green apple.
Nutrient richness in different fruit crops
Nutrients Fruits Nutrient richness
Mango 4800 IU/100 g
Vitamin A
Papaya 2020 IU/100 g
Walnut 450 mg/100g
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Apricot (dry) 217mg/100g
Bael 1.19 mg/100g
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Litchi 0.06 mg/100g
 Barbados cherry 1000-4000mg/100g
Vitamin C Aonla 600 mg/ 100g
Guava 299 mg/100g
Apricot (dry) 72.81 %
Date (pind) 67.30 %
Carbohydrate
Karonda (dry) 67.10 %
Banana 36.40 %
Almond 20.80 %
Protein
Walnut 15.60 %
Walnut 64.50 %
Fat Almond 20.80 %
Avocado 22.80 %
Guava 6.90 %
Wood apple 5.20 %
Fibre
Pomegranate 5.10 %
Aonla 3.40 %
Litchi 0.21 %
Calcium
Karonda (dry) 0.16 %
Walnut 0.38 %
Phosphorus
Litchi 0.30%
Karonda (dry) 39.10 %
Iron
Date (pind) 10.60 %

Plantation crops

Plantation crops are tropical mostly woody perennial grown in large contiguous area, managed by
estate or individual farmers, the produce of which is being utilized only after processing.

Scope of Plantation crops

1. Great scope in expansion in non- traditional areas in North Eastern areas due to high
irrigation potential. Expansion in traditional area is limited due to geographical condition.
Due to drip irrigation potential, the non-traditional area can be increased.
2. Market demand and export potential- Foreign earning from products and by products
of plantation crops not only in external market but also in internal market. 27 % of earning
from total agricultural commodity is contributed from plantation crop and export % is
4.8%.
3. Employment generation- Year round flowering and fruiting providing opportunity in not
only farm but also industries.
4. Helpful in crop diversification via intercropping and Multi-storeyed cropping system.
5. Availability of technology and yield gap- Technology is available from ICAR institutions
i.e. SAUs and KVKs. The yield gap is due to non-adoption of good agricultural practice.
Economic Importance of Plantation crops

1. Export earning- It creates a lot of foreign exchange by both major products and by
products occupies less than 3% of area of the total cultivated area. They contribute to
 national economy by way of export earnings. These crops occupy less than 2 per cent
of the total cultivated area (i.e. 3.82 per cent of total crop land) but they generate an
income of around Rs. 16,000 million or about 12.72 per cent of the total export
earnings of all commodities or 75 per cent of total earnings from the export of
agricultural produces.
2. Leading position in World. India is the leading country in the total production of
certain plantation crops in the world. For instance, our production meets the share of
47 per cent in tea and 66 per cent in each of cashew and arecanut.
3. Employment opportunity- Plantation industry provides direct as well as indirect
employment lo many millions of people. For instance, tea industry offers direct
employment to 10 lakhs and indirect employment to 10 lakh people, while-cashew
processing factories alone provide employment to 3 lakhs people besides 2 lakhs
farmers are employed in cashew cultivation.
4. Industrial Importance- Coconut by products- coir, husk and fiber; Cashew- CNSL.
Plantation industry supports many by-product industries and also many rural
industries. For example, coconut husk is used to produce coir fiber annually to a tune
of 2,19,600 tones in India.
5. Conserving soil ecosystem- Tea and coffee are shade loving plants, which are
provided shade by Silver Oak plants thereby checking soil erosion. These crops help
to conserve the soil and ecosystem. Tea planted in hill slopes and cashew in barrel and
waste lands protect the land from soil erosion during the rainy season or due to heavy
winds.
Nutritional value in Plantation crops

1. Coconut: It has high healthy fats which act as a quick energy source, possess Lauric acid
which has antimicrobial properties. The coconut water is low-calorie and rich source of
electrolytes (K, Mg, Na).
2. Arecanut: It is mainly used for masticatory purposes and as a stimulant. It contains alkaloids
(arecoline) which have a psychoactive effect. It is also a rich source of tannins, which possess
antioxidative and astringent properties.
3. Oil Palm: It is an oil yielding perennial crop that yields 2 types of oil i.e. palm oil and kernel
oil. The palm oil is rich in Vitamin A and Vit E and is used in diets to overcome Vit A
deficiency. It is rich source of nutrition and oil due to its high calorific value. It is easily
digestible and easily absorbable. It contains equal portion of saturated and unsaturated fatty
acids.
4. Cashew nut: It is highly nutritious with balanced constitution of saturated and unsaturated
fatty acids. The cashew juice is a preserved product rich in Vit C content can be also made
into RTS, pickle etc. A fermented beverage known as Feni is prepared from Cashew apple.
5. Palmyrah Palm: It is used as a sweetening agent. Neera is a beverage prepared from the
inflorescence of the Palmyrah Palm. It is a natural, non-alcoholic beverage that possesses
Vitamin C, iron and potassium. The tender fruits have a soft jelly-like endosperm which is
delicious and mostly consumed during the summer known as ice apple.
6. Cocoa beans: They are known for their use in confectionery industries. It is rich in flavonols,
which possess antioxidative properties. Cocoa butter has healthy saturated fats. Cocoa
contains magnesium, iron and zinc.
7. Tea: The health benefits of Tea were realised by the Chinese emperor Shew Mung. It is
recommended for kidney trouble, chest issues, fever, oral health etc. Research shows that
 drinking Tea reduces the chances of heart diseases, oxidation of fat, cholesterol, blood
clotting etc. It contains polyphenols (catechins), a potent antioxidant, L-theanine, that
supports focus and relaxation. Tea has moderate caffeine, hence is a mild stimulant.
8. Coffee: Used as a stimulant and most popular beverage. It is rich in caffeine which improves
alertness and performance. It also contains chlorogenic acid which supports metabolism.

Bioactive compounds in Plantation Crops

• Tea: Catechins, theanine – Antioxidant, mental relaxation

• Coffee: Caffeine, chlorogenic acid – Alertness, metabolism support

• Cocoa: Flavanols, magnesium – Heart health, mood enhancer

• Coconut: Lauric acid, MCTs – Antimicrobial, energy source

• Oil Palm: Beta-carotene, tocotrienols – Eye health, antioxidant

• Cashew: Anacardic acid, iron – Immunity, anemia prevention

• Palmyrah: Vitamin C, natural sugars – Immunity, digestion