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Supply utilization and repayment performance of crop loans of commercial banks in Alappuzha district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Lekshmi, S; KAU; Jesy, Thomas
An investigation on the supply, utilization and repayment performance of crop loans of commercial banks in Alappuzha district with special reference to paddy was conducted on the basis of data pertaining to the year 1991-92. Data for the study were generated through a sample survey of borrowing households, conducted during 1992-93. The main objectives were to study the credit requirement, availability and its gap in paddy cultivation, to analyse the extent of utilization and repayment of loan, and to identify the factors discriminating the borrowers into non-defaulters and defaulters. Two stage random sampling technique was used for generating primary data with branches of lead bank is first stage sample and borrowing farmers as second stage. From the list of branches with more than 60 crop loan accounts for paddy for punja season, two branches viz., Edathua and Kainakary were selected at random from each branch. Linear discriminant function and tabular analysis were the tools used for analysis. An inverse relation existed between cost of cultivation and size of holding in the two areas viz., Edathua and Kainakary and also at the pooled level. Input-output ratio was highest for large farmers followed by marginal farmers and small farmers. The credit requirement was Rs.12.747/- for marginal farmers, Rs.12,706/- for small farmers and Rs.12.652/- for large farmers based on the entire paid out cost of cultivation and Rs.9,560/-, Rs.9,489/- and Rs.9,529/- for marginal, small and large farmers respectively based 75 per cent of paid out cost of cultivation. The scale of finance fixed for paddy in punja season for Alappuzha district during 1991-92 was Rs.5,000/- per hectare. Credit gap estimated per hectare of paddy was Rs.7,652/- for large farmers, Rs.7,706/- for small farmers and Rs.7,747/- for marginal farmers based on 100 per cent paid out cost of cultivation and Rs.4,560/-, Rs.4,529/- and Rs.4,489/- for marginal, small and large farmers respectively based on 75 per cent of paid out cost of cultivation. At the pooled level 52.50 per cent of the borrowers utilized the loan for the stipulated purpose while 47.50 per cent utilized it for purposes other than stipulated. Coinciding with the beginning of the crop season 92.31 per cent of large farmers, 62.69 per cent of small farmers and 33.33 per cent of marginal farmers could avail of the loans. Among the borrowers 54.17 per cent were non-defaulters and 45.83 per cent were defaulters. Out of the total loan disbursed in the study area, 49.28 per cent was repaid while 50.72 per cent was overdue. Various reasons attributed to non-repayment by the farmers in the study area were nonremunerative price for the produce, storage of the produce to fetch a high price, divertion and yield due to crop failure. The factors identified as significant discriminators between defaulters and non-defaulters were marketed surplus time of sowing and credit gap. The contribution of these variables to the total distance measured was 77.78, 16.27 and 5.95 per cent respectively. About 65 per cent of the respondents were correctly assigned to their group by the discriminant function.
Open Access
Coconut based food and oil milling industries in Kozhikode and Kannur districts
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Bala Sudhahari, T; KAU; Mukundan, K
A study was conducted to assess the performance of coconut processing sector in Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala, during 1990-91. The specific objectives of the study are (i) to study the economic performance of coconut based food and oil milling industries and (ii)to identify the constraints that affect the proper functioning of these industries . All the four desiccated coconut units in the two districts were visited and studied. To study the performance of coconut oil mills, a sample of 70 units were selected by multistage random sampling in the two districts. Desiccated Coconut Units The annual installed capacity was equal in the four desiccated coconut units, while the capacity utilisation varied between 1440 thousand nuts to 2004 thousand nuts per annum.
Open Access
Economics of production and marketing of vegetables in Ollukkara Block in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Sandhya, V; KAU; Radhakrishnan, V
The present investigation on the production and marketing of vegetables (bittergourd and ashgourd) in Ollukkara block in Thrissur district was undertaken during the year 1990-91. The study aimed at estimating the cost of cultivation, cost of production, input-output ratio, resource use efficiency' and marketing efficiency of the two vegetables. The study also aimed at identifying the important marketing channels. Multistage random sampling was adopted for the study. Cost A1 , cost. A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare were Rs .13,584.55, Rs. 13,914.53, Rs.13,954.23, Rs.15,958.24, Rs.20,563.37 and Rs.22,556.38 respectively for bitter gourd and Rs.6,630.22, Rs.6,910.22, Rs.7,012.22, Rs.8,689.80, Rs.9,360.07 and Rs.11,037.67 respectively for ashgourd. The largest single item of input was human labour for both bittergourd and ashgourd. The output of bittergourd was 13830 kg per hectare and 16509 kg per hectare for ashgourd. The gross value of output at the prevailing price was Rs. 42,364.63 for bittergourd and Rs.24,763.50 for ashgourd. Cost of production per quintal of bittergourd based on cost A1, cost A2 , cost B 1, cost B2 , cost C1 and cost C2 were Rs.98.00, Rs. 100.60, Rs.100.90, Rs.115.00, Rs.148.00 and Rs. 163.00 respectively. For ashgourd they were Rs.40.00, Rs.42.00, Rs.42.00, Rs.53.09, Rs. 56.00 and Rs. 66.00 in the same order Input-output ratios based on cost A1, cost A2 cost B1, cost B2 , cost C2 and cost C2 were 3.11, 3.04, 3.03, 2.65, 2.06 and 1.88 for bittergourd and 3.73, 3.58, 3.53, 2.84, 2.64 and 2.24 for ashgourd respectively. Bulkline cost per quintal for bittergourd was Rs.220 and Rs.85 for ashgourd. Farm business income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs.28,779.40 and Rs.18,133.28 respectively for the aggregate sample. Own farm business income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs.28,450.10 and Rs.17,853.28. Family labour income was Rs.26,406.40 for bittergourd and Rs.16,073.70 for ashgourd. Net income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs. 19,808.25 and Rs.13,725.83 respectively. Farm investment income was Rs.22,181.26 and Rs. 15,785.40 respectively for bittergourd and ashgourd.
Open Access
Supply behaviour of sesamum and groundnut in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Chandrabhanu, P; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present study focuses on the two principal seasonal oilseed crops of Kerala viz. sesamum and groundnut. Trends in area, production and productivity as well as the determinants of area and productivity of these two crops were analysed both at the district and state levels using time series data for the 1961-62 to 1987-88 period. Simple indices and three different functional forms viz. the linear, log-linear and the quadriatic were used to measure the trend for two sub periods viz. 1961-62 to 1974-75 and 1975-76 to 1987-88 as well as for the period as a whole. Decomposition analysis was carried out to partion out the relative contributions of area and productivity towards the changes in output. Variability was measured using the coefficient of variation.
Open Access
Comparative study on the economic efficiency of different sources of irrigation in Chittur development block
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Kalyana Krishnan, S; KAU; Prabhakaran, T
A study was conducted in Chittur Development Block to compare the economic efficiencies of different sources of irrigation in the area. Kunnamkattupathy Village in the Block was purposively selected for this. The objectives were to (a) compare the principal sources of Irrigation with respect to their adequacy and influence over cropping pattern# (b) to estimate the cost and technical co-efficients on farms (c) to develop optimal plans- for farms differing with respect to source of irrigation and (d) to suggest means for optimal use of irrigation water. Stratified random sampling was the technique used to select farms and pretested schedule was used to gather information from the farmers of the village. The study area had four different systems of irrigation, viz.,canal, canal + well, well and spout fed well. Relevent data were collected from twenty samples each of canal fed, well fed and rainfed farms and fifteen samples each of canal with well and spout fed well irrigated farms, by personal interview. Average area per farm was 6.04 acres with canal fed farms having the lowest area# of 3.59 acres and spout fed well irrgated farms having the highest average area of 8.18 acres. Farms of the sample area were evenly distributed between the black loam and red loam soils. Paddy was the dominant crop being cultivated in irrigated farms and groundnut was the dominant one in rainfed farms. Season wise cropped area indicated a general pattern of paddy 1st crop and groundnut Iand crop in the Irrigated farms. Rainfed farms concentrated on low water requiring crops, rather than paddy. Cropping intensity in irrigated farms was 177.20% while that of rainfed farms was only 158.31%. Most of the farmers deriving benefit of canal water either directly or indirectly felt that their water requirement was being met adequately while majority of farmers depending ground water alone felt that their requirement of water is being met only partially.
Open Access
Economic status of agricultural labourers in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Unnikrishnan, G; KAU; Venugopalan, S
The study ‘Economic status of agricultural labourers in Thiruvananthapuram district’ was carried out with the following objectives. 1. To understand the levels of employment, under employment and unemployment of the agricultural labourers of Thiruvananthapuram district. 2. To study the wages rates and modes of payment of the wages. 3. To estimate the income levels of the ALHH. 4. To assess the expenditure pattern of the ALHH. 5. To estimate the extent of poverty , if any 6. To estimate the levels of indebtedness and savings. 7. To assess the support through the various welfare programmes for the selected households. 8. To understand details such as social participation, cosmopoliteness, aspiration levels etc. 9. To study the levels of political participation of the ALHH The study was conducted in the Neyyatinkara subdivision of the district in 4 randomly selected krishibhavans. Sample size of the study was 120 and equal number of respondents were selected from each of the 4 Krishibhavans. Personal interviews were conducted to collect the data from the respondents with the help of a pre-tested and well structured questionnaire. The variables used in the study included basic family particulars, education level of the respondent, level of employment and details of wages, land holding size and land holding pattern, possession of farm implements, consumer durables, livestock status, value of permanent assets, dependence on the PDS, income and expenditure pattern of the households, benefits from welfare programmes, indebtedness and savings levels of the households, social participation and other relevant characteristics which are useful in measuring the economic status of a household. For measuring the variables suitable scales were used which were used by earlier researchers with modifications wherever needed and in some cases suitable scales and classes were formed. Data collected was coded, tabulated and analysed with suitable statistical tools. Some of the important findings of this study are 1. Majority of the house holds were thatched ones and family compositions mainly nuclear. 2. The average family size was four and large proportion of the labourers belonged to the age group 35-55. 3. About 67 per cent of the labourers were moderately under employed and 23 percent severly underemployed. 4. Wage rates of both male and female labourers were above the minimum wage rates fixed by the government and was mainly paid in cash only. 5. Disparity was seen in wages for male and female labourers, the latter earning only about 70 per cent of the former, per day even though working hours were same for both. 6. Average annual income per household was about Rs 29887 and percapita income was about Rs 8078. 7. Eighty nine percent of the ALHH depended wholly or partially on the PDS to fulfill their food requirements. 8. Cereals had the highest share in food expenses for majority of households and food expenses formed the major share in total expenses 9. Expenditure was significantly and directly related with income. 10. It was observed that 18 percent of the ALHH were below and 21 percent marginally above the poverty line based on consumption expenditure. 11. Anti-poverty programmes were yet to reach one third of the population and even the benefited households got only a meager amount per household. 12. Dependence for credit by the ALHH was equal on both formal and non-formal agencies and 84 percent of them had availed credit. 13. Sixty five percent of the households that availed credit had amounts overdue against them. 14. Financial base of the households was unstable at all levels of income. 15. Family size and number of days of employment was inversely and significantly related to credit amount overdue. 16. About half of the total households had no savings and the others mainly invested in non-formal agencies only. 17. Social participation level was low for most of the ALHH. 18. Most of the ALHH were highly exposed to mass media, had high levels of health and hygiene, cosmopoliteness and aspirations. 19. Majority of the respondents were members of registered political parties and had high political awareness. The results obtained from the study was similar to those obtained in earlier studies with regard to most of the variables. The agricultural labourers were still poor and down-trodden and their upliftment needs greater attention than that given now. By proper policy modifications and implementation it can be made sure that their upliftment is not a herculian task.
Open Access
Production marketing and supply respons of sugarcane in Chittor area
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Rathish, R; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on the production, marketing and supply response of sugarcane in Chittoor Area of Palakkad District was conducted during 1991-’92. The main objectives of the study were:- (1) To estimate the supply response of sugarcane (2) To find out the economics of production (3) To estimate the resource use efficiency (4) To examine the marketing practices and problems Secondary data were collected from secondary sources and primary data from One hundred and Twenty farmers and traders using two stage random sampling technique. The compound growth rates were 6.87 per cent, 0.24 per cent and 6.61 cent of area, productivity and production respectively. Increase in sugarcane production was mainly due to area increase. Area-price interaction effect was also found to be significant. Area lagged by one year and two years were significant but when time trend was included they became insignificant. For the sample as a whole, Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare were Rs.13,597.46, Rs.13,597.46, Rs.14,094.76, Rs.19,761.87, Rs.15,010.67 and Rs.20,677.78 respectively for sugarcane planted crop, Rs.11,201.41, Rs.11,201.41, Rs.11,682.09, Rs.16,344.55, Rs.12,497.17 and Rs.17,159.63 for ratoon crop and Rs.12,399.44, Rs.12,399.44, Rs.12,888.43, Rs.18,053.25, Rs.13,753.92 and Rs.18,918.70 for combined crop. For the sample as a whole, costs of production were Rs.148.75, Rs.148.75, Rs.154.19, Rs.216.19, Rs.164.21 and Rs.226.21 for planted crop, Rs.148.95, Rs.148.95, Rs.155.35, Rs.217.35, Rs.166.19 and Rs.228.19 for ratoon crop and Rs.148.85, Rs.148.85, Rs.154.77, Rs.216.77, Rs.165.20 and Rs.227.20 for combined crop based on Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 respectively. The output of planted, ratoon and combined crops were 91.41 MT, 75.20 MT and 83.30 MT for the sample as a whole, having corresponding values of Rs.28,335.64, Rs.23,312.12 and Rs.25,823.38 respectively. At Cost C2, benefit cost ratio was the highest in Class III showing values 1.37, 1.36 and 1.36 for planted, ratoon and combined crops respectively. Farm business income for planted, ratoon and combined crops were Rs.14,738.18, Rs.12,110.59 and Rs.13,424.38 for the sample as a whole. Farm investment income showed values Rs.13,822.27, Rs.11,295.51 and Rs.12,558.89, while family labour income was Rs.8,573.77 for planted, Rs.6,967.45 for ratoon and Rs.7,775.61 for the combined crop. The Cobb-Douglas production function fitted with returns (rupees) as dependent variable and expenditure on labour, seeds, manures and fertilizers, irrigation and plant protection chemicals as independent variables revealed the expenditure on manures, fertilizers and irrigation were inadequate for both the crops. At the same time expenditure on plant protection chemicals was found to be in excess. The major marketing channel identified was producer- factory in which 69.17 per cent of the farmers were involved. Of the total, 15.83 per cent of farmers produced gur by themselves and were involved in the producer wholesaler (as gur) – retailer-consumer channel. The marketing cost incurred accounted for 28.11 per cent while marketing margins accounted for 15.28 per cent. The analysis revealed that producers could obtain more profit when they produced gur by themselves than by selling sugarcane to gur producers or to the factory.
Open Access
Economic analysis of rice production in Kuttanad and kole areas of Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Mohandas, K; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on economic analysis of rice production in Kuttanad and kole areas of Kerala was undertaken during the agricultural year 1992-93. The study aimed at comparing costs and returns, measure productivity of farm resources, examine the possibility of increasing incomes by reallocating the existing resources and examining the marketed surplus and factors contributing to it and to identify the constraints in rice production. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers. Two stage random sampling was adopted for the study. The largest single item of cost of operation was fertilizer and its application cost for both Kuttanad and kole. The largest single item of input was labour in both the areas. Cost A1, cost A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare were Rs.9953.03, Rs.9953.02, Rs.9953.02, Rs.13090.68, Rs.10099.82 and Rs.13237.48 respectively for Kuttanad and Rs.9566.17, Rs.9566.17, Rs.9566.17, Rs.12256.35, Rs.9706.17 and Rs.12396.35 respectively for kole area. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts, in rice cultivation such as gross income, farm business income , family labour income, net income and benefit cost ratio were Rs.15688.30, Rs.5735.28, Rs.2597.62, Rs.2450.82 and 1.19 respectively for Kuttanad and Rs.13450.91, Rs.3884.74, Rs.1194.56, Rs.1054.56 and 1.09 respectively for kole area. The average per hectare yield in quintals of rice in Kuttanad was 37.72 excluding harvest charges paid in kind and 47.15 including kind portion. Corresponding values for kole area were 32.53 and 40.66 quintals respectively. Benefit cost ratio calculated both by excluding and including the kind portion of the produce were 1.19 and 1.14 respectively for Kuttanad. The corresponding benefit-cost ratios for kole area were 1.09 and 1.07 respectively. Bulk line cost on C2 basis was Rs.4000 per tones for Kuttanad and Rs.4600 per tonne for kole area. Production function analysis done separately for the two areas revealed that contribution of independent variables namely machine labour, human labour and fertilizer towards gross income was found to be significant and positive for both the areas. The estimated percentage increase in gross income with one per cent increase in these three inputs came to 0.12 per cent, 0.46 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively for Kuttanad area. For kole area, the corresponding values are 0.09 per cent, 0.51 per cent and 0.28 per cent respectively. The sum of the elasticities of production function for Kuttanad and kole were 0.9748 and 0.8936 respectively, and indicated diminishing returns to scale. Marginal value productivity to factor-cost ratios showed that a rupee invested in the three inputs, viz., machine labour, human labour and fertilizer will add Rs.5.25, Rs.1.47 and Rs.2.33 respectively in Kuttanad and Rs.2.78, Rs.1.42 and Rs.1.42 respectively for kole area, if the farmer has unlimited amount of money. Under limited resource conditions, optimum levels of inputs such as machine labour, human labour and fertilizer were worked out for both the areas. For Kuttanad to achieve maximum production, the expenditure on machine labour, and fertilizer should be enhanced from the existing level whereas the expenditure on human labour should be reduced. In the case of kole area, the expenditure on machine labour should be enhanced while the same on human labour should be reduced. The analysis also showed that by re-allocating the existing resources farmers could increase their income by 16.61 pr cent at the aggregate level in Kuttanad. Marketing analysis revealed that the marketed surplus amounted for 69.17 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and 67.89 per cent of the total produce in kole area. For the sample as a whole marketed surplus accounted for 68.92 per cent of the total produce. The quantity given as wages came to 18.06 per cent and 14.89 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and kole areas respectively. Around 10.28 and 14.93 per cent of the total produce was used for farm household consumption in Kuttanad and kole areas. The quantity used for seed purpose was 2.49 and 2.29 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and kole areas respectively. Multiple regression analysis to estimate the factors determining the marketed surplus for the sample as a whole revealed that productivity is the only significant variable. Non-availability of labour and their increased costs, weed infestation and incidence of pests and diseases were perceived by the farmers as the important constraints to rice production in both the areas. Salinity and acidity followed by the problem of submergence formed the fifth and sixth major constraints in Kuttanad. In kole submergence formed the fifth constraint followed by the problem of acidity and salinity.
Open Access
Economics of arecanut cultivation in Kasargod district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Dineshkumar, E V; KAU; Mukudan, K
A study on the economics of arecanut cultivation in Kasaragod district was conducted during the period 1991-92 to evaluate the costs and returns, capital productivity, resource use efficiency of yielding plantation and the problems of arecanut cultivators. Three stage random sampling was adopted for the study and the data were collected from a sample of 144 cultivators by personal interview method. Total cost of cultivation for 11 years was estimated to be Rs.107133/- for the district, in terms of 1991-92 prices. The major item of expenditure was human labour constituting about 44.75 per cent of the total cost. Manures and fertilizers accounted for 25.92 per cent and cost on plant protection accounted for 9.27 per cent of the total cost for 11 years. The cost of production per quintal was estimated as Rs.1539/- for the district. Pay back period was found to be 8.91 years. Benefit cost ratio was calculated as 2.29. Net present worth was Rs.95506/- and internal rate of return was calculated to be 27.64 per cent. The factors manures and fertilizers and irrigation were found to have significant influence on the gross income obtained from an arecanut garden. The marginal value product of these inputs were found to be 1.262 and 7.07 respectively. High input costs, serious disease problems and difficulties associated with marketing were some of the general problems faced by the sample farmers.

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