International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Horticulture has a very important position and importance in Shopian as it has engaged alarge section of the farmers. It provides employment opportunities to majority of people residing in Shopian. Present study is an attempt to understand the cost- benefit ratio of the horticulture in Shopian and further it also tries to examine thestrongest reasons responsible for the conversion of agriculture land towards horticulture. Current study is mostly based on the primary sources of data which has been collected from field by conducting a survey. Study reveals that every Kannal of land has returned INR 53,000 annually while the cost of activities and raw mater used as input stood at INR 33,100. The total cost benefit ratio realizes from horticulture was recorded as 1:1.66 points which is a positive indication for future horticulture development. Study also depicted that the main reasons for the conversion and diversification of agriculture land towards horticulture are that horticulture produce has a high cash value realization as it was supported by more than 80 percent views of respondents. It was also observed that more than 70 percent of respondents believe that agriculture has low productivity and production comparison to fruits. Thus, this study reveals that horticulture is an important activity in Shopian district and proper and well mechanism should be framed to give it further boost.

Keywords: Horticulture, Diversification, Employment, Cost-Benefit Ratio, Respondents.