Mapping and economic evaluation of traditional wicker willow in the plains of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Wicker willow craft, locally known as keani keam, is a handicraft from the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India, involving weaving using willow reeds. Willow weaving is an indigenous industry of the Valley. The speciality of this craft lies in the fact that a willow product serves both as a decor and a household utility item to store and carry edible items during special occasions. Considering the importance of wicker willow in the Kashmir Valley, the present study aimed to assess the plantation area under wicker willow, identify the potential wicker-growing areas, evaluate the profitability associated with wicker cultivation and analyse the factors affecting the productivity of wicker. The central zone of Kashmir Valley was selected on the basis of purposive sampling as bulk of the wicker-based industry is concentrated in the central zone of Kashmir Valley, particularly in the districts of Srinagar and Ganderbal. Similarly, the villages/districts were selected based on their dependence on the wicker industry. Data were collected using multistage sampling with 153 households randomly selected for the survey. Data were subjected to analysis, viz. descriptive stati­stics, Cobb–Douglas-type production function and profitability analysis. The net present value and benefit–cost ratio were Rs 43,837.43 and 2.23 respectively, ensuring that investment in wicker cultivation is economically viable. The wicker cultivation was also profitable as the internal rate of return was 32.52%. The functional analysis revealed that the per kanal (20 kanal is equal to 1 ha) yield was significantly positively affected by the age of the plantation, number of plants sown/kanal and the amount of fertilizer applied.