Comparing high-density plantation (HDP) system and the conventional plantation system of apple cultivation in Mustang and Manang districts of Nepal

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the comparative economic analysis of the High density and conventional systems of apple cultivation. It also aimed to compare crop managerial practices in two cultivation systems and major problems involved in the production of apples in the study area. A total of 125 farmers from two districts, Manang and Mustang, were selected by simple random sampling technique and interviewed with a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule of which 60 were HDP practitioners and 65 were conventional practitioners. Chi-square test and independent sample t-test were used for data analysis using SPSS and MS-Excel. Drip irrigation system, regular training pruning, low weeding frequency, chemical source of nutrient management were some distinguishing managerial practices in the high-density plantation system. Pit manuring, flooding irrigation, intercropping, high weeding frequency were found to be more common in the conventional system. Unavailability of saplings and fertilizers (0.79) and lack of post-harvest storage (0.76) were major problems reported by high-density practitioners and conventional practitioners respectively. The economic analysis revealed a benefit-cost ratio of 0.35, 0.80, and 1.39 in the HDP system and benefit-cost ratio of 1.60, 1.68, and 1.72 in the conventional system for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 respectively. The increasing benefit-cost ratio in the high-density plantation system, even when being in the initial establishment phase can be expected to be more profitable when all plants reach the full production phase. The conventional system is still profitable but high density is promising as it can give more profit per unit of land.

Keywords

• apple
• benefit-cost ratio
• conventional
• economic analysis
• high-density
• managerial practice