Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir: Problems and Prospects THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy In ECONOMICS By Mohd Iqbal Rather Under the Supervision of Prof. Rais Ahmad DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) May, 2019 CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I Mohd Iqbal Rather, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management certify that the work embodied in this Ph.D (Economics) thesis is my own bonafide work carried out by me under the supervision of Prof. Rais Ahmad at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The matter embodied in this Ph.D. thesis has not been submitted for the award of any other degree. I declare that I have faithfully acknowledged, given credit to and referred to the research workers wherever their works have been cited in the text and the body of the thesis. I further certify that I have not wilfully lifted up some other’s work, para, text, data, result, etc. reported in the journals, books, magazines, reports, dissertations, thesis, etc., or available at web-sites and included them in this Ph.D. thesis and cited as my own work. Date: (Signature of the Candidate) Mohd Iqbal Rather (Name of the Candidate) Certificate from the Supervisor This is to certify that the above statement made by the candidate is correct to the best of our knowledge. Signature of the Supervisor Name & Designation: Prof. Rais Ahmad, Professor Department: Agricultural Economics and Business Management Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University (Signature of the Chairman of the Department with seal) COURSE/ COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION/ PRE-SUBMISSION SEMINAR COMPLETION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Mr. Mohd Iqbal Rather, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management has satisfactorily completed the course work/comprehensive examination and pre-submission seminar requirement which is part of his Ph.D. programme. Date: ……………. (Signature of the Chairman of the Department) Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University COPYRIGHT TRANSFER CERTIFICATE Title of the Thesis: HORTICULTURE IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS Candidate’s Name: Mohd Iqbal Rather COPYRIGHT TRANSFER The undersigned hereby assigns to the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, copyright that may exist in and for the above thesis submitted for the award of Ph.D. degree. (Signature of the Candidate) Note: However, the author may reproduce or authorize others to reproduce material extracted verbatim from the thesis or derivative of the thesis for author’s personal use provided that the source and the university’s copyright notice are indicated. Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University ACKNOWLEDGMENT First and foremost, I praise and thank ALLAH, the Almighty, the Greatest of all, the Cherisher and the Sustainer. I believe that without His blessings and helps nothing can be achieved. He bestowed upon me the capability, knowledge, courage, patience, and strength to embark upon this work and carry it to its completion. His continuous grace and mercy was with me throughout my life and even more during the tenure of my research. My words are weak and fall short of vocabulary in making special thanks to my kind esteemed supervisor Prof. Rais Ahmad who advised, supported and helped me sympathetically in completion of the work. It is a matter of joy that without his valuable suggestions, able guidance, scholarly touch and piercing insight that he offered to me in each and every stage of this study, coupled with his unreserved encouragement, this thesis could not have been presented in successful manner. I have been extremely lucky to have a supervisor who cared so much about my work, and who responded to my questions and queries so promptly. His positive outlook and confidence in my research inspired me and gave me strength. His careful editing contributed enormously to the production of this thesis. It would never have been possible for me to take this work to completion without his incredible support and encouragement. It was a real privilege an honor for me to share of his exceptional knowledge and his extraordinary human qualities. Without his guidance and constant feedback this Ph.D would not have been achievable. I appreciate the role he played in helping me to get here. I am highly thankful for the confidence and trust he has shown in me. I am so grateful to have been able to take part in the conferences, seminar, etc. with him. I learned (skills, tips, etc.) which I’m sure will come in handy throughout my career in future. Thank you for helping me in sharpening my skills, and professional development. I look forward to putting my newfound knowledge into Maulanaaction. ItAzad is the share Library, dint of his knowledge Aligarh and kind heartednessMuslim that University he encouraged and developed in me the skill and art of writing the manuscripts, research papers, edited books etc. I owe indebtedness and solicit gratitude for making me an editor of six edited books. His lab and advices are the perfect things for a student to become a i successful person in later life. I would like to share my gratitude and deep appreciation for everything he has done for me. I wish to put the words of thanks to all other teachers of the department who supported and helped me whenever I asked for their help. I must pay respect of heed to M.A Library AMU, for providing the conducive environment for writing this thesis, the valuable books and online journals for reading. I am extremely thankful to Seminar Library, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management for providing space and valuable books and material whenever I was in need. I am also thankful to various Departments of J&K Govt. particularly the Department of Horticulture and Department of Finance for providing the necessary data related to my research. This study would not have been possible without the co-operation of the sample growers of the three divisions of the State. I am indebted to them for their willing co- operation in the collection of primary data for this study. Several other individuals and institutions have made valuable suggestions and provided data for the research. I gratefully acknowledge their help. I am also grateful to all the members of non-teaching staff specially Mr. Tahseen Iqbal Siddiqui, Mr. Matloob-ur-Rehman Kirmani, Mr. Md. Asim and Mr. Shahzad Shujai, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Aligarh Muslim University for their cooperation and time to time help during the study. Finally, I express indebtedness to my venerable and esteemed institution, Aligarh Muslim University. I am at the dearth of words to express indebtedness towards my Alma Mater. Primarily and most sincerely, I must pay my homage to its founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. I must register my sincere thanks to Mr. Zahoor Ahmad and Mrs. Darakshan MaulanaKursheed and the Azad family for Library, providing the material, Aligarh financial Muslim and mental Support University in completion of this work. I owe indebted respect for my Parents who with their share dint of simplicity and affection helped, supported and bore my absence for this work. ii I gratefully acknowledge my sisters Mrs. Wahida, Ms. Tasleema and brother in law Mr. Gh. Hassan Sofi whose presence encouraged me to finish the work successfully. I want to convey my special thanks with lots of love to my cousins Mr. Aashiq Ahmad Wani, Sareer, Shabir, Natiq, Seerat, Shaheena, Taufeeq and Tehseena who always supported me throughout the work and encouraged me with their love and affection. I extend sincere thanks to my respected seniors, Mr. Md. Jamshed, Dr. Afaq, Dr. Mudasir A. Bhat. Dr. Sajad, Mr. Rameez, without their valuable suggestions and friendly support, the accomplishment of this task seemed to be impossible. In my daily work, I have been blessed with a cheerful group of friends, and I would fail in my duty if I do not appreciate the supportive attitude of my friends Mrs. Rubia, Md. Anis Anwar, Rahil Akhtar Usmani, Asim Hasan, Ms. Mehvish, Ms. Zainab,Azad Wani, M.A.M Maaz, Arif Abad, Malik Mushtaq, Khan Tanveer, Bhat Ashiq, Dar Irfan, Sofi Javid and Suhail Khan for providing a loving and supporting environment for me. I would also like to put on record the felicity of two little kids Ahmad Zufishaan and Solihah Jan. I wish to mention the anonymous person who has remained the constant source of inspiration for completion of this work. Last but by not the least; I thank my friends Lone Maqbool, Ab. Majid, Malik Irshad, Bhat Basharat, S. Shahid, Gulzar, Imtiyaz, and to all nears and dears. I owe indebted gratitude and solicit thanks to all those who helped me directly or indirectly in completion of this work. Mohd Iqbal Rather Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University iii Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir: Problems and Prospects ABSTRACT OF THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy In ECONOMICS By Mohd Iqbal Rather Under the Supervision of Prof. Rais Ahmad Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) May, 2019 Abstract ABSTRACT Research Title: Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir: Problems and Prospects “Horticulture develops a relationship with people to improve their cognitive, physical, economic, social and behavioral functioning.” This study tried to find the problems and prospects of horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The study has been carried smoothly in the three divisions of the State i.e, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The main focus of the study was on fruit cultivation in the State with other aspects of horticulture covered as well. In spite of various problems in the horticulture sector, the State has excellent prospects of the growth in this sector.