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ThesisItem Open Access Integrated pest management in rice production: resource use efficiency and relative economics(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Saijyothi, D; KAU; Indira Devi, PThe present study entitled Integrated Pest Management in rice production: resource use efficiency and relative economics, was conducted in Kuttanad region of Kerala, India with the specific objectives of evaluating the economics of IPM technology over the traditional practice and to assess the resource use efficiency. The study pertaining to the summer crop in the area (November 2004 to February 2005) was undertaken during March to July 2005 A sample of 70 farmers each from IPM and Non-IPM category were selected by conducting a preliminary survey to categorise the farmers under each group. The production details of paddy were gathered from both the groups using a pretested structured questionnaire by personal interview method. The management under IPM programme starts from the very beginning of the crop calendar, starting with the varietal selection, its source, seed rate and method of planting. Though both types of farms were sowing only recommended varieties, seed rate was much above the recommended level in the case of non IPM group and they primarily relied on farm saved seeds. It was the reverse in the case of IPM farms. The level of application of fertilizers and soil ameliorants was lower in the case of IPM farms. Among the various inputs in crop production, labour was the most important single item of expenditure in paddy production. The total labour use in IPM farms was found to be 75 man-days per hectare i.e., 5.63 per cent higher than that of Non-IPM farms (71 man days per hectare). This is primarily due to the additional labour required in IPM farms for weeding (due to lesser amount of weedicide use), land preparation (additional ploughing), harvesting (higher yield) and IPM measures. Thus the total expenditure on seeds and sowing, fertilizer application and plant protection charges were 67.15 per cent higher in the Non-IPM group. Contrary to this, the expenditure on land preparation, weeding and harvesting operations together, were 11.93 per cent higher in IPM group. Total cost of cultivation was estimated as 5.07 per cent higher in Non-IPM group (Rs31536/ha) compared to IPM group (Rs 29841/ha) Apart from the cost saving, relatively higher yield (45.23 quintals per hectare) was also there in IPM farms compared to the other group.(44.46 quintals per hectare). The partial budgeting analysis have revealed that the cost saving coupled with higher yield realization in IPM farms has resulted in an additional net private gain in income to the tune of Rs 2824 per hectare Benefit cost ratio at Cost A1 was estimated as 1.85 (Non-IPM) and it was 2.06 for IPM farms inferring rice cultivation under IPM, as more beneficial than chemical based cultivation. At cost C3 level, the non IPM groups were more prone to risk as the BC Ratio was very close to unity Cobb-Douglas production function was fitted to assess the efficiency of resource use in paddy cultivation for both IPM and Non-IPM farms. It could be concluded that IPM farms were economically more efficient in resource utilization than the Non-IPM counter parts. Though most of the farmers were aware of the potential hazards of excessive chemical use in agriculture, and got exposed to adequate training, the spread of the technology is constrained by factors like, the perception of a yield loss, difficulties in water management and labour problems. But those who have adopted the technology was found to be aware of the short-term nature of yield reduction and cost saving aspects of the technology. The policy suggestions are made based on the findings and future line of work is also suggested.ThesisItem Open Access Production and marketing of vegetables in Palakkad district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sreela, P; KAU; Thomas, E KThe present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of vegetables in Palakkad district was aimed at analyzing the economics of vegetables viz; bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd and to assess the technical efficiency, marketing efficiency and constraints faced by the vegetable growers. The study was conducted in Nemmara block of Palakkad district, which was one of the major vegetable growing belts in the district having a larger proportion of area under bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd when compared to other vegetables. A sample of 60 growers for each vegetable was selected. Two stage random sampling procedure was adopted for the study and percentage analysis was used to analyse the data. The profitability was estimated using ABC cost concepts and technical efficiency was estimated using stochastic frontier production function of Cobb Douglas form. Bulkline costs were calculated for the three vegetables. Marketing efficiency was worked out using Shepherd’s formula. Total expenditure at Cost C3 at aggregate level was Rs.105717, Rs.103277, Rs.137498 and Rs.98711 for bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd-main crop and ivy gourd-ratoon crop respectively. The explicit costs, which included all the paid out costs, were Rs.55027, Rs.54293, Rs.72934 and Rs.38217 respectively for the three vegetables. The outputs per hectare were 23721 kg/ha, 23999 kg/ha, 19364 kg/ha and 16764 kg/ha respectively in the case of bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop). The total value of output per hectare of these vegetables were 1.86 lakh, 1.17 lakh,1.36 lakh and1.17 lakh rupees in the respective order. Cost of production per quintal of bittergourd were Rs.226, Rs.247, Rs.226, Rs.261, Rs.370 Rs.405 and Rs.446 per quintal in the respective order for cost A1, cost A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 cost C2 and C3. These costs were observed in the respective order as Rs.226, Rs.247, Rs.226, Rs.261, Rs.359, Rs.391 and Rs.430 in the case of snakegourd. An amount of Rs.344, Rs.375, Rs.344, Rs.473, Rs.516, Rs.646 and Rs.710 respectively were spent to produce one quintal of ivy gourd-main crop on the above costs. The corresponding figures for ivy gourd-ratoon crop were Rs.234, Rs.269, Rs.234, Rs.383, Rs.386 Rs.535 and Rs.589. Bulkline cost per quintal for bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop) were Rs.508, Rs.484, Rs.852 and Rs.768 respectively. The net income for bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop) were Rs.80478, Rs. 13288, Rs. –1951 and Rs.18636 respectively. At cost C3 level, benefit cost ratio of bittergourd and snakegourd were 1.76 and 1.13 in the respective order. The corresponding figures for ivy gourd-main crop and ivy gourd-ratoon crop were 0.99 and 1.16 respectively. Bittergourd had the highest BC ratio (3.38) at paid out cost level followed by ivygourd-ratoon crop (3.07), snakegourd (2.15) and ivy gourd-main crop (1.86) For bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd, mean technical efficiencies were 0.85,0.91 and 0.58 respectively when land was included as one of the variables. In the case where mounds were added as a variable instead of land, mean technical efficiencies were worked out to be 0.88 for bittergourd and 0.92 for both snakegourd and ivy gourd. Technical efficiency of the individual farms varied widely between 30 and 100 per cent. The channel, Producer – VFPCK market – wholesaler – Retailer– consumer, was the most important marketing channel in the case of bittergourd and snake gourd, while the channel, Producer – Commission agent – Wholesaler – Retailer – Consumer was identified as the most important one for ivy gourd. In the case of bitter gourd, producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was Rs. 7.6 (50.70 per cent) whereas in the case of snakegourd it was Rs. 4.75 (47.50 per cent). For ivy gourd, the same was Rs. 5.44 per kg. (36.3 per cent). The index of marketing efficiency was highest for bittergourd (1.03) followed by snakegourd (0.91) and ivy gourd (0.57). The most important constraint faced by the vegetable growers in the study area was the incidence of pests and diseases. It was followed by the problems of high input cost, inadequacy of capital, non-availability of labor and low price of the produceThesisItem Open Access Production and marketing of vanilla(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Deepa, U V; KAU; Jesy, Thomas KThe present study on the economics of production and marketing of vanilla aims to estimate the costs and returns in vanilla cultivation, identify the marketing channels and marketing costs along with the analysis of the price behaviour and trade competitiveness of vanilla in Kerala The cost of cultivation was worked out using operation wise approach and input wise approach by employing the ABC cost concepts in farm management. Small sized, medium sized and large sized vanilla plantations behaved differently in incurring costs during the establishment, steady yield and declining yield periods. The total cost of establishment at the aggregate level was Rs.1, 45,102 per hectare and it ranged from Rs. 1,37,445 per hectare in small holdings to Rs. 1,54,776 per hectare in medium sized holdings. The annual maintenance cost during the stabilized yield period worked out to Rs.57829 per hectare at the aggregate level and it was Rs. 55456,Rs.58343 and Rs.58577 per hectare for small, medium and large holdings respectively. The annual maintenance cost during the declining yield period worked out to Rs57313 at the aggregate level and it was Rs. 56042, Rs. 58158, and Rs. 58507 for small, medium and large holdings. Input wise analysis of costs for establishment stage showed that cost C3 at the aggregate level worked out to Rs. 193205. The total Cost C3 for steady yield stage worked out to Rs. 81057 at the aggregate level and it was Rs 77508, Rs. 83444 and Rs. 83466 for small, medium and large holdings respectively. During the declining yield stage cost C3 at the aggregate level worked out to Rs.79407, and it was Rs. 77320,Rs. 819175and Rs. 81354 for Small, medium and large farmers respectively. The returns from green beans started from third year and it remained stable from fourth to seventh year and declined during eighth to fifteenth year. . The returns from the by product commenced from the third year onwards and increased during the steady yield stage and declining yield stage. It was observed that cost of production was more during the later stages of growth than the beginning stages of vanilla production. A higher benefit cost ratio and high NPW for small holdings pointed out its higher profitability compared to medium and large holdings. The major marketing channels identified were Producer-Local agent –exporter, Producer Exporter, Producer - vanilla growers association- exporter. It was found that it was highly beneficial for the vanilla grower to go for on farm processing of the beans instead of selling as raw beans, if they could maintain the required international quality of the beans. The major constraints faced by the farmers were price fluctuations, lack of marketing facilities, lack of knowledge on processing