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Open Access
Investment pattern in rural households of Ollukkara Block Panchayath in Thrissur District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Pratheesh, V.S.; KAU; Thomas, E.K.
Agriculture which is the back bone of Indian economy, is now heading towards a radical transformation. When the green revolution technology was introduced in the mid sixties, great expectations were raised as to the beneficial effects it could induce into every class of farmers and other sectors of the populations by increasing food production, employment opportunities and income levels. But its latter day performances have belied these expectations and it seemed that only those who have necessary absorptive capacity or infrastructure are only benefited. So for the betterment of agriculture there should be more and more investment both in the public and private sector. Under these circumstances the present study entitled "Investment Pattern in rural households of Ollukkara block panchayath in Thrissur district" is of high relevance and was conducted with the following objectives. 1. To study the different sources of income of rural people 2. To examine the savings and expenditure pattern 3. To analyze the nature of investment 4. To identify the constraints associated with investment in rural areas. The study was conducted in the sample selected at random from 50 numbers of Agricultural labourers, farmers and service sector people from the five wards selected from the total 74 wards in the Ollukkara block panchayath of Thrissur district. The data for the agricultural year 2001-2002 were collected using a well structured interview schedule. The study revealed that the mainsource of farm income in farmers and service sector people was crops where as for labourers it was livestock. On an average 81. 9 5 per cent of the total farm income was directed from the crops and only 18,95 was from livestock. Category wise analysis showed that net income and benefit cost ratio were much higher for labourer households and lowest for service sector people. 141 At the aggregate level, consumption expenditure accounted for 78.91 per cent, and the rest 21.09 per cent was for farm expenditure. Of the total, 78.09 per cent of farm expenditure was incurred for crops and only 21.91 per cent was made for livestock. The Category wise analysis showed that per household savings was highest for the service sector people followed by farmers and labourers. With respect to the gross farm investment, purchase of livestock was the most important item of investment followed by investment on land improvement, purchase of irrigation appliances, construction and repair of farm buildings and digging and repair of wells. The average rate of farm investment was only 1.53 per cent while the non farm investment was at the rate of 5.41 per cent. Lack of employment, High cost of living, and high loan out standing were reported as the most important constraint for investment along with constraints like non availability of labour, lack of irrigation etc.
Open Access
Economics analysis of rice - fish sequential farming system In the low lying paddy fields of Kuttanad,Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Shanat Mathew, K; KAU; Joseph, K J
The present study on "Economic analysis of rice-fish sequential farming system in the low lying paddy fields of Kuttanad, Kerala" was aimed to analyse comparative economics of rice monocropping and rice-fish sequential farming systems, to quantity the employment generation capacity of the integrated system and to identify the constraints in the wide spread adoption of rice-fish sequential farming system. The study was undertaken during May - July 2000 and the data pertains to the year 1999. Data for the study was generated through sample survey of farmers by personal interview method using a pretested structured interview schedule. The study was conducted with a sample of 100 farmers for each system of cultivation. Two stage random sampling was adopted for the study. Tabular analysis was used to analyse the data. The cost of cultivation (cost C3) of rice under monocropping (Rs.23419.47 per hectare) and of rice under sequential farming system (Rs.1972S.31 per hectare) Was estimated. For fish, the cost of cultivation per hectare was Rs.6768.39. The major expenditure on input for rice cultivation under both systems and for fish was human labour. In rice monocropping, land preparation was observed to be the most expensive operation, whereas, in sequential farming weeding was the most expensive operation. In the case of fish cultivation, harvesting of fish turned out to be the most cost consuming operation. Gross income per hectare realized from the main as well as by product at the aggregate level was Rs.2S252.50, Rs.28371.00, and Rs.8782.95 for rice (monocropping), rice (sequential farming) and fish respectively. Cost of production per quintal of rice (monocropping) was Rs.64S.16 and for rice (sequential farming) was Rs.482.0S. For fish, cost of production per quintal of fish estimated to be Rs.1538.62. Benefi t cost ratio at cost C3 was found to be highest (1.44) in the rice cultivation under sequential farming. The corresponding figures for rice monocropping and fish were 1.08 and 1.30 respectively. This new system could provide on additional employment of 14.31 mandays per hectare. Even though this new integrated systems was profitable, lack of finance and non co-operation among farmers to an extend hinder the adoption of this practice. The major constraints experienced by the farmers in the cultivation were also identified.
Open Access
Economic Analysis Of Production And Marketing Of Vegetables In Thiruvananthapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2001) Nagesh, S S; KAU; Rageena, S
The present study on "Economic analysis of production and marketing of vegetables in Thiruvananthapuram district" was conducted with a view to examine the costs and returns of vegetable cultivation, employment generation, marketing efficiency, technical efficiency and problems encountered in production and marketing of vegetables. A comparative study of vegetable growers of KHDP and IVDP was also carried out. The data pertains to the year 1999-2000. The total explicit costs for IVDP and KHDP snakegourd growers were Rs. 62711.60 and Rs. 61448.40 respectively. Total implicit cost was worked out at Rs. 64956.90 and Rs. 58140.20 respectively for IVDP and KHDP growers. Bitter gourd was the only crop, which recorded a benefit-cost ratio higher than one at cost C3. The total cost of cultivation (Cost C3) ranged from the lowest of Rs. 64313.70 for amaranth us to as high as Rs. 134135.60 for bittergourd. Bittergourd was the most remunerative crop in the area with a gross return of Rs. 206065.20 for KHDP and a benefit cost ratio of 1.53 at cost C3. Cost of organic manure occupied the highest share of the total cost of cultivation of all the three crops. The KHDP bittergourd growers showed an estimated mean technical efficiency of 80 per cent and for IVDP growers it was 71 per cent. In the study area most of the vegetable producers marketed their produce in the markets in Thiruvananthapuram city. The marketing efficiency was highest for bittergourd (l.99) followed by snake gourd (l.31) and amaranthus (0.83). The major constraints experienced in cultivation were incidence of pests and diseases, unavailability of quality seeds at reasonable cost, lack of credit availability and lack of .marketing facilities.
Open Access
Production and marketing systems of vetiver : a micro-level analysis in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Deepakumar, V S; KAU; Satheesh Babu, K
The present study entitled " Production and marketing systems of vetiver : a micro-level analysis in Thrissur district" was conducted with the objective of working out the cost of production and returns of vetiver cultivation, to study the marketing channels, and to identify production and marketing problems encountered by vetiver growers of the area. The data pertains to the period from January 2000 to December 2000. Eighty commercial farmers who cultivated vetiver for more than three years were selected at random, and the information required for the study were collected by personal interview using a structured, pre-tested schedule of enquiry . • The cost of cultivating one hectare of vetiver was worked out to Rs. 117975, Rs. 101760 and Rs. 93533 at cost C3 for the category I (less than 0.50 ha), category 11 (0.50 - l.0 ha) and category III (more than l.0 ha) farmers respectively. Organic manures constituted the major item of expenditure, constituting 29 per cent of the paid out cost. This was followed by expenditure on hired human labour, which accounted for 26 per cent of the explicit cost. The cost of production of one kilogram of dry vetiver root at cost C3 were Rs. 12.27, Rs. 12.77 Rs. 6.85 and Rs. 1l.57 respectively for the cat~gories I, 11, III and the sample as a whole. On an average vetiver farmer had a gross income of Rs. 126644 per hectare. The net income for the three categories of farmers were Rs. 2931, Rs. 14352 and Rs. 90998 per hectare for the categories I, 11 and III respectively. The BCR estimated at cost C3 were found to be more than unity for the entire category of farmers. The entire marketing system was organized in the private sector. The Producer - Wholesaler - Processor - Consumer, and Producer - Wholesaler - Drug Dealer - Consumer were the two major marketing channels identified in the area. The economic efficiency of marketing measured by the modified Shepherd's Index indicated that both local and interstate markets were efficient, with a value of more than unity. The main production related constraints were non-availability of institutional credit and dependency on private money lenders, increase in rental charges of land and escalating fuel charges for the irrigation system. Year-to-year fluctuation of vetiver root price, delayed settlement of transactions and risk of losing weight during storage were the major marketing related problems .
Open Access
Economic analysis of production and marketing of cashew nut in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Shibu, Sebastian; KAU; Jessy, Thomas K
The present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of cashewnut in Kerala was aimed to examine the supply response of cashew nuts, to study the marketing channels and margins and to identify the constraints experienced by the producers in the production and marketing of cashew nuts. The growth rate analysis using exponential function revealed that during the whole period under study (1952-53 to 1999-2000), the area under cashew expanded by 2.22 per cent per annum. Period wise analysis showed a significant increase in area by 5.97 per cent per annum in the first period followed by a decline by 1.82 per cent in the second period (1976-77 to 1999-2000). Regarding production, a low growth rate of 0.02 per cent per annum was observed during the whole period while the first period registered a growth rate of 3.76 per cent per annum and a decline by 1.18 per cent in the second period. But the productivity showed a decrease by 2.11 per cent in the whole period. The first sub- period registered a decline in productivity by 2.08 per cent while the second period recorded a slight increase by 0.87 per cent per annum. The analysis using linked exponential model also yielded more or less similar results. The producers' response to price and non price factors was examined by studying the response in terms of area and yield. The analysis revealed that the price of cashew did not have a significant impact on yield, while the relative yield showed a positive and significant influence on yield. The relative price and the price of rubber showed a significant influence on area under cashew. The annual maintenance cost at the aggregate level was computed to Rs.7709.77 per hectare. The material cost was worked out to Rs.1765.89 and labour cost was computed to Rs.5943.88. The gross and net returns per hectare at the aggregate level was worked out to Rs.21427 and RS.13717.23 respectively. The major marketing channels identified in the study were 'Producer-village trader-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-processor', 'Producer-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-processor' and 'Producer-secondary wholesaler-processor'. The producers' net share in the processors' revenue was estimated to 48.26, 48.58 and 48.92 per cent respectively in marketing channels I, II and Ill. Marketing efficiency indices for channels I, II and III were computed to 1.86, 1.88 and 1.90 respectively. The constraint analysis revealed that pests, diseases and low price of the produce were the most important problems faced by the producers in the study area.
Open Access
Capital formation in farm households of Kerala – a study in Nemom block panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Rani, G; KAU; Jesy, K Thomas
The present investigation on capital formation in farm households of Nemom Block Panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district was aimed to assess the extent and nature of capital formation and to identify the constraints faced by farmers in capital formation. Two stage random sampling and stratified sampling in the third stage was adopted for the selection of 150 respondent farmers based on their size of holdings. The socio economic features, capital formation and constraints faced by farmers on the basis of income, expenditure, savings and asset structure of the farmers were studied using tabular analysis. Income from crop formed the major share of total farm income. Material expenditure and expenditure on feed formed the major share oftotal crop expenditure and livestock expenditure respectively. Out ofthe total investment in farm households, major share was occupied by land residential buildings. When land, residential buildings, vehicles and household durables were excluded, the asset structure showed that largest share of investment was on wells and tanks. The average gross capital formation in farm households was Rs.34450.44 and average net capital formation was Rs.3290.54. Major share of gross and net capital formation was on land improvement. The income, expenditure, savings, value of assets, gross capital formation and net capital formation increased with farm size. It was low (0.71) in the sample farm households because of the high value of existing asset structure. Among the Panchayats, the rate of capital formation was maximum in Kalliyoor, where farming was the major source of income of majority of sample respondents. High wage rate was the most important constraint faced by farmers followed by high cost of living. Non - availability of labour, low product price, incidence of pest and diseases, lack of interest and negative attitude of younger generation towards farming were also identified as major obstacles in capital formation in sample farm households.
Open Access
Analysis of market economy of medicinal plants in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Joby Joseph, M; KAU; Indira Devi, P
The present investigation on analysis of market economy of medicinal plants in Kerala was undertaken during the year 1999-2001. The study aimed at identifying the major medicinal plants (in quantity and value terms) of pharmaceutical use in Kerala, the form in which it is demanded and the source and the extent of supply. The study is based on a sample of seven pharmacies, accounting for 68 percent of the total turnover of the industry. There are around 30 major wholesale traders of medicinal plants in the state and bulk of the business is handled by five traders and all of them in Thrissur district. From them, the information on price of important species, sources, plant part traded and other relevant details were gathered. Exports of ayurvedic and unani herbs have registered a steady increase, especially after 1996 and are reported to the tune of 9585.70 tonnes in 1999-2000. The major destinations of export of ayurvedic and unani herbs are Chinese Taipei (28.10%) Japan (26.38%), and Pakistan (19.04%). The major share of foreign exchange earnings from export of ayurvedic and unani plants is contributed by Pakistan (20.15%) followed by Japan (16.8%) and Chinese Taipei (13.6%). Nepal and Pakistan are the major countries from where ayurvedic and unani herbs are imported to India. They together account for 72.83 per cent of total imports of the country. The net balance of trade shows a fluctuating trend. It was declined from Rs.3247.27 lakhs in 1998-’99 to Rs.1201.24 lakhs in 1999-’00 and from 926.26 lakhs in 1993-94 to 671.82 lakhs in 1994-95. The major ten species of medicinal plants selected based on the magnitude of quantity procured per annum by the seven sample pharmacies are arranged in the descending order of importance. 1) Sida Spp. 2) Tinospora cordifolia. 3) Terminalia chebula. 4) Withania somnifera. 5) Adhatoda sp. 6) Cedrus deodera. 7) Cyperus rotundus. 8) Woodfordia fruiticosa. 9) Boerhaavia ditffusa. 10) Aegle marmelos. The annual compound growth in the consumption of medicinal plants varies from 4.19 per cent in Boerhaavia diffusa to 9.31 per cent in Aegle marmelos. The coefficient of variation in the price of major medicinal plants ranges from 8.62 per cent in Boerhaavia diffusa to 29.89 percent in the case of Terminalia chibula. The price elasticity of demand of all the medicinal plants studied were positive, varying from 0.33 per cent in the case of Boerhaavia diffusa to 3.31 in the case of Terminalia chibula. The ratio estimates of value of the medicinal plants traded indicate that Sida is the medicinal plant procured with highest total value followed by Withania. Aegle occupied the lowest both in respect of quantity and value. Estimates of scarcity ratio for Sida (2.79), Aegle (0.49) and Boerhaavia (6.82) were positive, which highlighted the relative scarcity of these plants. The major medicinal plants selected based on the unit prices procured by sample pharmacies are arranged in the descending order, 1. Aconitum heterophylum. 2. Lodolcea seychellarum 3. Crocus sativus. 4. Anacyclus pyrethrum. 5. Holstemma ada-kodien. 6. Kaempferia rotunda. 7. Piper longum. 8. Commiphora mukul. 9. Cinnamomum camphora. 10. Trichosanthes cucumerina. In the marketing scene, among the major channels identified, Tribals – Commission Agent – Trader/Dealer – Ayurvedic manufacturing units is found to be the main marketing channel through which major portion of the medicinal plants are marketed in the state (60-65%). The market for medicinal plant in the state is controlled by a few traders and pharmacies. The inadequate quality control mechanism both at product level and input level of ayurvedic industry is one of the major problems. This study has listed out the important constraints by the industry. However more concerted study is recommended to further elaborate the issues, among other recommendations.
Open Access
Economic analysis of cool season vegetables in Devikulam block of Idukki District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Karthikeyan, N; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of cool season vegetables in Devikulam block of ldukki district was aimed at analysing the economics of cooi season vegetables like potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage, and to assess the marketing efficiency and constraints faced by the vegetable growers. The study was conducted with a sample of 50 growers per vegetable, Percentage analysis was used to analyse the data and stochastic frontier production function was fitted for analysing technical efficiency. Cost Ab Cost BJ, Cost Cl and Cost C3 per hectare were Rs.25951.1 0, Rs.26438.09, Rs.32155.06 and Rs.35370.56 respectively for potato. The figures in the same order were Rs.22021.50, Rs.22333.93, Rs.31490.92 and Rs.34640.0 1 for garlic. The corresponding figures were Rs.18550.94, Rs.18903.04, Rs.27786.99 and Rs.30565.69 respectively for carrot. The figures were Rs.16239.85, Rs.16579.76, Rs.25243.88 and Rs.27768.27 respectively for cabbage in same order. The outputs per hectare were 8563.22 kg in the case of potato and for garlic, carrot and cabbage the same was 3016.63 kg, 5878.56 kg and 16360.11 kg respectively. The gross values of output per hectare at the prevailing price were RsA8698.68, Rs.37117.38, Rs.35039.98 and Rs.28948.39 for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage in respective order. Costs of production per quintal of potato based on Cost A 1, Cost Bb Cost Cl and Cost C3 were Rs.303.05, Rs.308.74, Rs.375.50 and RsA13.05 respectively. For garlic, the figures were Rs.73 1.46, Rs.741.84, Rs.I045.99 and Rs.1150.59 in same order. The corresponding figures were Rs.315.57, Rs.321.56, RsA 72.68 and Rs.519.95 for carrot. The figures in same order for cabbage were Rs.99.26, Rs.I01.34, RS.154.30 and Rs.169.73. Farm business income in Rs per hectare for potato was 22747.58 and the same was 15095.88, 16489.04 and 12708.54 respectively for garlic, carrot and cabbage. Family labour incomes Rs per hectare for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage were 22260.59, 14783.45, 16136.94 and 12368.63 respectively for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage. Farm investment incomes Rs per hectare for potato. garlic, carrot and cabbage were 17030.62, 9378.92, 7605.09 and 5138.64 respectively. The net income Rs per hectare was 13328.12 for potato, 2477.3 7 for garlic, 4474.29 for carrot and 2383.77 for cabbage. Benefit cost ratios based on Cost Ab Cost Bb Cost Cl and Cost C3 were 1.88, 1.84, 1.51 and 1.38 respectively for potato. The figures in same order were 1.69, 1.66, 1.18 and 1.07 respectively for garlic. The corresponding figures were 1.89, 1.85, ].26 and 1.15 respectively for carrot and the same figures were 1.78. 1.75, 1.20 and 1.09 respectively for cabbage. Bulk line cost in Rs per q was 514.48, 1518.99, 709.99 and 199.57 respectively for potato garlic, carrot and cabbage. The average technical efficiencies of potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage were 0.78. 0.80,0.71 and 0.63 respectively. The major marketing channel identified was Producer-Village merchant-Commission agent-Wbolesaler-Retailer-Consumer. The producer's share in consumer's rupee was Rs.5.89- (49.86 per cent) for potato and the same was Rs.I2.S0 (43.46 per cent) for garlic, Rs.6.12 (60.12 per cent) for carrot and Rs.2.17 (42.14 per cent) for cabbage. The index of marketing efficiency was the highest for carrot (1.53) followed by potato (1.49), garlic (0.77) and cabbage (0.73). Low price for the produce was the most important problem faced by the fanners of cool season vegetables in the study area.
Open Access
Economics of production and marketing of coconut in central region of Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Santhosh Narayan; KAU; Latha Bastine, C
This study entitled "Economics! of production and marketing of coconut in central region of Kerala" was conducted in the Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkaddistricts of central region of Kerala. The objectives were to estimate cost of production of coconut, to study the marketing details of the sample farmers and the general problems encountered by the coconut growers. Multistage random sampling technique was adopted. A total sample of 216 farmers was selected having palms of different age groups. The groups based on age were, farmers having-one year old, 2 to 3 year old, 4 to 7 year old, 8 to 14 year old, 15 to 40 years old and greater than 40 years old coconut gardens. Two farmers each from the first four categories and five farmers each from the last four categories were selected for the study. Most of the farmers procured seedlings from their own farm. All the ssample farmers were found to apply organic manure in their farms. Considering the nutrients N,P,K together, it was observed that the nutrient application was lower than the recommendation of Package of Practices of Kerala Agricultural University. Husk burial was a very rare practice in the study area. The cost of establishment of coconut for seven years was worked out to Rs.l4126.32 for C-I (one year old), Rs. 13436.35 for C-II (2 to 3 years old) and Rs. 14432.99 for C-III (4 to 7 years old) for one hectare of coconut garden. On an aggregate cost of maintenance for yielding categories was worked out to Rs. 18896.74 per hectare. The cost of maintenance worked out for C-IV (8 to 14 years old) was Rs. 19058.82, for C-V (15 to 40 years old) Rs. 19599.24 and for C- VI (greater than 40 years old) Rs. 17811.84 per hectare. Labour utilization pattern showed that more hired labour (60.64%) was used compared to family labour (39.36%) in the coconut gardens of central region of Kerala. On an aggregate, productivity of 52.68 nuts per palm per year was estimated in the central region. The cost of production was worked to Rs.3.54 per nut for the central region of Kerala. Capital productivity analysis revealed a pay back period of 13 years, net present value of Rs. 1946.38 at 14 per cent opportunity cost of capital. Benefit cost ratio was just 1.02 while internal rate of return (14.29%) was just above the opportunity cost of capital. The project worth measures indicate a bankable project. But the project worth measures are just above the critical decision level and hence are very much sensitive even to a slight fall in returns or spurt in cost of the farmers indicating that coconut cultivation as such is not a much promising _enterprise. Majority of the farmers was selling unhusked nuts constituting 51.40 per cent of the total sample farmers. The major marketing channel identified was producer-copra maker-oil miller-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. The share of producer in consumers' rupee came to 60.58 per cent. Price spread was estimated as 39.42 per cent of consumers' rupee. The main constraints ranked by the farmers in the study region is that of low and abnormally fluctuating market price of coconut followed by pest and disease incidence. Mainly ignorance of the recommended practices and their advantages as well' as inherited time tested knowledge that made farmer understand the best method for their particular region resulted in incomplete adoption or non adoption of the recommended scientific practices by the Kerala Agricultural University. The need of the day is to implement new ideas and concepts in the cultivation to marketing and processing aspects, which will be cost effective, competitive and viable in this era of stiff competition of products and its substitutes.

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