Chicory is a perennial crop, generally grown in winter season. The cultivation of chicory in India is not popular as farmers are not much aware about the marketability of this crop. With the development in technology, chicory crop has gained importance as it is very useful in making blend with coffee. Chicory is considered as both complementary to coffee (in blending) as well as supplement to coffee. It contains 10-15 per cent protein and also lactucin, secondary metabolite alkaloid. The crop has also significant importance as its leaves can be used as fodder for cattle which improves protein utilisation in ruminants.

The crop is cultivated in few States, mainly Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.These two account for 97 per cent of the total production of chicory in India. It is the climate (or soil) which favours chicory in these States. Though the crop has gained momentum in production, processing and consumption in India and the world, it is yet to gain its potential in Indian context.

Constraints, opportunities

In order to bring phenomenal changes in the level of production and processing of chicory, awareness about the profitability of this magic crop needs to be created. A thorough analysis of the cost of cultivation and market price of chicory revealed that a farmer can earn around ₹70,000-80,000 by cultivating it on one hectare of land.

At present, the major issue inhibiting the growth in production of chicory and also promotion by industry is that the sowing/ planting material for production of chicory is being imported from France. The imported planting material is being supplied by companies to those farmers who have entered into an agreement of contract farming with them. Absence of alternative source of seed/ planting material is a constraint not only for farmers but also for companies as they are totally dependent on imported seed.

Overseas market

The major problem in export of chicory is the multiple HS Code classification. Under ITC HS Code classification, chicory is placed in different chapters. In the group of 2 digits HS Code classification which describes major heads of export items, chicory is placed in HS Code 06, HS Code 07, HS Code 12 and HS Code 21. For example, ITC HS Code does not describe the difference between the chicory roots classified under HS Code 06 and HS Code 12. However, the main product of chicory plant, which is either used for vegetable or for chicory root powder, is considered for analysis of exports.

The analysis revealed that there has been a huge growth in export market of chicory both in quantity as well as value terms. During 2003-04, the total exports of chicory were limited to $0.48 million and it soared to $7.49 million in 2013-14 with a CAGR of 32 per cent. Similarly, the growth of exports in terms of quantity is recorded with a CAGR of 23 per cent. A linear trend in exports indicates that the total size of export market of chicory during 2018-19 may reach $15 million which is double the present market size.

Imperatives for expansion

The agricultural universities should work on research and development on chicory for introduction of high yielding varieties with resistance to disease, which can fetch good income to farmers. Companies should engage themselves through continuous communication with the universities and promote and utilise the research done by them. These companies and universities should also ensure that the farmers get continuous supply of sowing/ planting material.

So far, Chicory has not reached its potential consumption level in India. It is mainly used for blending with coffee while in southern States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, chicory is used as supplement of coffee. There is a need for branding to promote consumption.

Authors are research scholars at National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur

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