Which of the following agricultural products serves as the primary cash crop contributing to rural household income and capital formation in the mid-hill districts of Himachal Pradesh such as Shimla and Kullu?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Apple cultivation is the dominant horticultural activity in Himachal Pradesh, significantly boosting rural incomes in districts like Shimla, Kullu, and Kinnaur. Rubber and coconut require tropical climates, while jute thrives in humid river deltas, making them entirely unsuited for the temperate Himalayan terrain. Horticultural expansion has been a major catalyst for rural capital formation in the state.