Pomegranate A Boon To Dry-Land Farmers

Abstract

India is one of the leading countries in pomegranate production. Over the last one decade the country has registered 15.7 and 16.1 percent increase in area and production, respectively. Pomegranate is a high value crop as its entire tree is of great economic importance. Besides, its demand for fresh fruit, several processed products like wine, juice concentrate, RTS beverages, anardana are also gaining importance in world trade. In recent years, pomegranate has gained importance for its versatile usage in processing, neutraceutical, pharmaceutical, leather and dying industries. Increased demand in the international market for pomegranate has widened the opportunity for high returns on investment from this crop. It is a highly remunerative crop and can elevate subsistence farming of small and marginal farmers to sustainable farming since it is well suited to the topography and agro-climate of arid and semi arid regions. The crop also has high potential to utilize wastelands.