Prathapa Reddy B.

Gherkin Under Contract Farming in Kuppam Area of Andhrapradesh, India Prathapa Reddy B.

Gherkin (Cucumis anguria) is a hybrid variety of cucumber. It is commonly called as pickling cucumber, gooseberry gold, wild cucumber and Jerusalem cucumber. Gherkin is a creeper with tendrils and stiff hairs. Gherkin is considered as vegetables and its cultivation practices are similar to those of vegetables. The general appearance of the gherkin resembles that of watermelon. The fruits are 3-5 cm long, light green and turn yellowish when mature. The rind has long flexible spines and the pulp is pale green with white seeds. Gherkin is water, nutritive exhaustive and labour - intensive high value commercial crop. Gherkin has occupied a place of its own in the international market. It is much liked as a pickle and as a mix in green salad in the western countries. Gherkin is rich in calcium, iron, potash, vitamins - B1, B2, C and A. In recent years there has been a great demand world over for gherkins. Present study was conducted to evaluate the economic viability of gherkin crop grown under contract farming in Kuppam area of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh of India.