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2017 - 201912020 - 20211
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCE USE PRODUCTIVITY IN MUSHROOM FARMING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2021-07) KAYASTHA, RATIKA; KAYASTHA, RATIKA; VAIDYA, MANOJ KUMAR; VAIDYA, MANOJ KUMAR
    ABSTRACT The present study entitled “Economic Assessment of Resource use productivity in Mushroom Farming in Himachal Pradesh was carried out in Kangra, Solan, Shimla and Mandi districts of the state. Simple Random sampling technique was used to select 215 mushroom growers from the selected districts. Cumulative cube root frequency (Singh and Mangat, 1995) was used for the construction of strata. The mushroom growers were classified into three categories on the basis of number of bags viz., small category (≤245), medium category (246-790) and large category (>790). Eight spawn producers were also selected from different selected districts in the study area. Main local markets in the study area districts were selected for conducting marketing study. A total sample of 5 wholesalers/commission agents and 5 retail sellers were selected randomly. Results revealed that average family size of selected farm families at overall level comprises of 4.58. The overall literacy rate was found to be 79.73 per cent, while literacy index were worked out to be 2.77 indicating average quality of education. Agriculture was found to be the main occupation as 80.10 per cent of workforce practice farming at overall farm category level. The average size of total land holding at overall level was found to be 0.94 ha which vary between 0.62 ha in small category to 1.32 ha in large category. Overall cropping intensity was found to 175.76 per cent. Mushroom contributed maximum share in the total farm income (34.78%) at overall category level, while it was observed highest of (46.76%) in case of large category. The cost of 1 quintal spawn production varied between Rs. 12293.63 for white button and Rs. 12000.07 for oyster mushroom. At overall basis, the cost of cultivation of white button mushroom per 100 bags basis found to be Rs. 19457.83, while for oyster mushroom it was found to be Rs. 14323.64. The net returns per 100 bags were estimated to be Rs. 16440.39 and Rs. 10443.77 at overall level. The output-input ratios were observed to be 1.84 and 1.73 in case of white button mushroom and oyster mushroom respectively. Results indicated that cultivation of white button mushroom and oyster mushroom in the study area is a profitable venture. It has been observed that at overall level, the value of ‘r’ for fixed capital, working capital and human labour in case of white button mushroom was greater than unity indicating underutilization of these resources and increase in their use would increase production. Similarly in case of oyster mushroom the value of ‘r’ for fixed capital was lesser than unity, which means overutilization of this resource and reduction in its use would increase production. The optimum plan was developed for existing mushroom cultivation in the study area which revealed the possibility of increasing the farm profitability by optimum utilization of the available resources. The mean technical efficiency was observed 80 per cent in case of white button mushroom and 79 per cent in case of oyster mushroom, which indicated that on an average only 20 per cent and 21 per cent respectively of the mushroom growers fell short of maximum possible frontier level of technology. The socio-economic characteristics of the variables such as education, experience, household size and managerial skill index have significant impact on technical efficiency. Four marketing channels were found prevalent in the study area for marketing of white button mushroom. Among these Channel –B, consisting Producer-Retailer- Consumer was found to be most preferred as 42.80 per cent of the quantity was marketed through this channel. In case of oyster mushroom, Channel –A i.e. Producer-Consumer was found to be most preferred as 36.03 per cent of the mushroom was marketed through this channel in the study area. The findings of the study recommend optimum resource utilization so that desired growth in mushroom cultivation and production can be achieved
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF LITCHI (Litchi chinensis) IN KANGRA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (UHF,NAUNI, 2017-08) KAYASTHA, RATIKA; SHARMA, RAVINDER
    ABSTRACT In the present study entitled “Economics of Production and Marketing of Litchi (Litchi chinensis) in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh’’ multistage random sampling technique was used for the selection of the sampled households from three blocks of Kangra district. Sample of 60 households was drawn randomly and by using cube root cumulative frequency method the sample was classified into two groups’ viz. Group-I and Group-II. The economic analysis revealed that initial cost of investment on litchi plantation was estimated Rs. 32157.43 per hundred plants. The litchi cultivation was profitable and earned an internal rate of return of 19.14 per cent with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.69 and net present value of Rs. 48089.56 per hundred plants. Sensitivity analysis of litchi plantation showed that up to 15 per cent changes in costs or returns, internal rate of litchi crop remained higher than the prevailing bank rates for long deposits, which clearly shows that the risks and uncertainties associated with price and costs are minimum in litchi crop. Therefore, it is suggested that litchi cultivation should be encouraged among the orchardists in the foot hills of Himachal Pradesh. Three main marketing channels were found prevalent in the study area for the marketing of litchi crop. Amongst these channel-C (Producer Pre-harvest contractor Wholesaler Retailer Consumer) was found to be the most preferred channel as 50.28 per cent of the produce was traded through this marketing channel. Shortage of labour, high wage rate and non-availability of labour at peak operation time were major production problems faced by the farmers. Marketing problems included higher commission, lack of bargaining power, delay in payments, large number of intermediaries, lack of transport facilities and lack of remunerative price. Problem of non-availability of labour at peak operation time was found maximum in Group-II (57.69%) which differs significantly from all other problems.