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Open Access
Economics of production and marketing of tuber crops in Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sheena, P A; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on the economics of production and marketing of tuber crops viz. coleus, sweet potato and tapioca in Palakkad district was undertaken during the year 1994-95. The study focussed on estimation of cost and returns and marketing system. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers, village traders, wholesalers and retailers. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, with panchayats selected purposively and sample farmers by random sampling method. The sample size for each crop was 50 making a total of 150 sample respondents. The results of the cost structure analysis revealed that the largest single item of expense was rental value of own land for coleus and tapioca and for sweet potato chemical fertilizer had the highest expense. Among the explicit cost items male labour accounted the highest share in coleus while rental value of own land and farmyard manure were the most important item in sweet potato and tapioca respectively. Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare was Rs.10101.74, Rs.13016.86, Rs.10101.74, Rs.17593.80, Rs.10743.99 and Rs.18236.05 respectively for coleus and Rs.8124.94, Rs.8124.94, Rs.13304.05, Rs.8852.50 and Rs.14031.61 respectively for tapioca and Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13 and Rs.9079.94, Rs.7311.04 and Rs.9654.84 respectively for sweet potato. The average per hectare yield of coleus, sweet potato and tapioca were 9154 kg, 8801 kilogram and 7398.73 kilogram respectively. Benefit-cost ratio for coleus was Rs.2.27, Rs.1.76, Rs.2.27, Rs.1.30, Rs.2.13 and Rs.1.25 based on costs A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 where as the corresponding figures for sweet potato were Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.29, Rs.1.60 and Rs.1.21 respectively. In the case of tapioca Benefit cost ratio was Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.1.95, Rs.2.93 and Rs.1.85. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts, in coleus cultivation such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income, net income and farm investment income were Rs.22884.72, Rs.12782.98, Rs.5290.92, Rs.4648.67 and Rs.12140.73 respectively and Rs.11734.04, Rs.5000.91, Rs.2654.10, Rs.2076.20 and Rs.4423.00 respectively for sweet potato and Rs.25895.56, Rs.17770.62, Rs.12591.51, Rs.11863.95 and Rs.17043.06 respectively for coleus. Functional analysis was carried out using Cobb-douglas production function and the results revealed that for coleus fertilizer was found to be negative and significant. The production elasticity of labour was negative and insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material were found to be insignificant. With regard to sweet potato labour was found to be negative and significant and the production elasticity of fertilizer was found to be negative though insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material was found to be significantly influencing production. Regarding tapioca the production elasticity of labour and farmyard manure was found to be negative though insignificant. The high value of production elasticity of area indicated the dominance of this particular factor. Marginal value product of farmyard manure and planting material for coleus and sweet potato were greater than their factor cost ratio and was negative for labour and fertilizer. In the case of marketing of coleus and sweet potato more than 95 per cent of the produce was sold to wholesalers through commission agents. The producer’s share was only 34.53 per cent and 31.76 per cent of the consumers’ rupee for coleus and sweet potato respectively. The index of marketing efficiency was 0.53 for coleus and 0.47 for sweet potato. Regarding tapioca the tubers who performed the role of commission agent and from them produce is taken by mill owners of Salem and Dindigul. Since there is a product diversification the marketing of tapioca tubers was studied only upto the intermediary level.
Open Access
Economic impact of minor irrigation in Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Economics College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Aji, George C.; Thomas, E K
Open Access
Optimum plot size for inter croping experiments
(Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Reji, K; KAU; Sunny, K L
A uniformity trial was conducted in bhindi intercropped with cowpea at the experimental field of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during July 1993 to December 1993 to assess the nature and magnitude of soil heterogeneity, and to determine the optimum size of plot for increasing the efficiency of experiment with intercropping. Three different approaches have been attempted in the statistical analysis. At the time of harvest, the yield data from 320 plots each of size 0.60m x 0.45m were recorded separately after discarding the border rows. It was observed that the index of soil heterogeneity was very high in all these approaches indicating that the contiguous plots are not correlated and the fertile spots are distributed randomly or in patches. It was also observed that an increase in the plot size in either direction decreased the coefficient of variation but the decrease was not proportional in all these approaches. The empirical law suggested by smith gave a satisfactory fit to the data. All the other non- linear models tried also gave a satisfactory fit to the data in all these approaches. The optimum plot size obtained by following different approaches indicated that 10 basic units plots(2.7m2) are optimum for conducting the intercropping experiment with bhindi and cowpea. Comparison of the LER and the bivariate analysis method showed that for the same level of precision the LER method gives a smaller plot size implying that per unit cost of experimentation will be higher in bivariate analysis. For any choosen plot size the precision attained through LER analysis is larger than that through bivariate analysis. However, when the multivariate approach is adopted the optimum plot size was obtained as 10 basic units (2.7m2) as in the case of LER.
Open Access
Economics of Production and Marketing of Ginger in Kerala with Special Reference to Idukki District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Jayesh, K S; Radhakrishnan, V
The present study on production and marketing of ginger was undertaken in Idukki district during the year 1992-93. The major objectives of the study were to examine the past trends in production, estimation of cost of cultivation, cost of production, resource use efficiency, marketing cost and margin and to identify the marketing channels. The study also examines the major constraints in production and marketing of ginger. The study is based on primary and secondary data. Primary data is collected from a sample of farmers. Multistage random sampling was adopted for the selection of farmers. Ginger production in the state during the period 1962-63 to 1990-91 showed a rising trend, with productivity contributing significantly to rise in production. In Idukki district also increase in trend in production is recorded during 1978-79 to 1991-92 period. Contarary to what has happened in state area played a major role with productivity playing a complementary role. Average cost of cultivation per hectare of ginger based on cost A, cost B and cost C were Rs.20088.10, Rs.20088.10 and Rs.28888.10 respectively. The average yield of ginger was 13785.08 kg per hectare. The gross value of output at prevailing price rate was Rs.68925.40. Cost of production per tonne of ginger based on cost A, cost B and cost C were Rs.1467.30, Rs.1467.30 and Rs.2119.60 respectively. Input-output ratio based on cost A, cost B and cost C were Rs.3.43, Rs.3.43 and Rs.2.39 respectively. Bulkline cost per tonne of ginger was Rs.2500. Farm business income was Rs.48837.30 and net income was Rs.40037.30. Cobb-Doughlas production function fitted with returns (rupees) as dependant variable and area, expenditure on inputs like seed, chemical fertilizers, manures, plant protection chemicals and human labourer as independent variables revealed that additional expenditure on seed, chemical fertilizers, manures and plant protection chemicals could increase the output. The input human labour was found to be in excess use. The most important marketing channel identified for both green and dry ginger was producer – village merchant – commission agent – wholesaler – retailer/secondary wholesaler – consumer. In the case of dry ginger producer sale price formed 62 per cent of the retail price. The corresponding share in the green ginger trade was 37 per cent. The combined net margin of the intermediaries were 19.6 per cent of the consumer rupee in dry ginger trade while it was 23.3 per cent in green ginger. The major problems facing the ginger growers are instability in prices and loss due to softrot disease. The study suggest the formation of co-operative societies to arrest price fluctuations. The study also recommend to educate farmers in modern techniques of cultivation.
Open Access
Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in kerala - a study in Thiruvanathapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Jinraj, P V; KAU; Raviraman, K
The study, "Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in Kerala - A study in Thiruvananthapuram district" was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To understand the present socio-economic status of the traditional fisherfolk in Kerala with particular emphasis on the income and expenditure pattern of the community concerned. 2. To analyse the levels of living of the fisherfolk with respect to food intake, shelter, educational status and sanitary conditions. Thiruvananthapuram, which is one of the districts with the highest fishermen population in the State, was selected for the study. From Thiruvananthapuram district Vizhinjam and Anjuthengu villages were selected due to their larger size compared to the other fishing villages and variation in fishing activity. A sample size of 50 traditional fisherfolk families from each village was selected using stratified random sampling technique, taking motorised and non-motorised fisherfolk families as two strata. A well structured and pre-tested questionnaire, was used for collecting data from the selected sample households. Data collected was analysed using suitable statistical tools such as mean, percentage analysis, correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The variables used in the study included general information on households, educational level, employment status, income and expenditure pattern, extent of credit availed and indebtedness, food intake, health status, housing conditions, social participation and other relevant characteristics which are useful in measuring the socio- economic status of a household. The study revealed that the average family size of the fisherfolk was 5.19. It was 5.58 in Vizhinjam village and 4.8 in Anjuthengu village. It was also seen that the majority of the fishermen under study were in the age group of 21-35 years. The female to male ratio was found to be 784 females for 1000 males. Landless fisherfolk families constituted 37 per cent and among land owners 55 per cent had less than 5 cents of land. The literacy rate of the fisherfolk was found to be 63 per cent in which males had a lower literacy rate (53 %) than females (68 %). It was noted that about 85 per cent of the workforce in the study area were engaged in fishing and about 14.41 per cent were engaged in fish vending. The average monthly income of a fisherfolk family was found to be Rs. 1918.94. In Vizhinjarn village it worked out to be Rs. 2160.20 as against Rs. 1677.68 in Anjuthengu village. Of the total monthly household expenditure, 62.52 % was spent on food, 12.52 % on arrack and 8.5 % on fuel and lighting. The percentage expenditure on betel chewing, clothing, medicinal purposes and recreation were 7.58 %, 4.24 %,2.11 % and l. 92 % respectively. The expenditure on education was observed to be very meager. It was revealed from the study that the fisherfolk were mainly utilising money lenders for availing credit. The majority of the loans availed were used for production purposes such as the purchase of fishing equipment (54%) and fish vending (5.3%). About 19.5 % of loans were used for marriage purposes and the rest for home consumption and for other purposes. The household food consumption pattern showed that the cereal food consumption was 45% of the total requirement. They consumed large quantities of fish. It was also observed that the intake of vegetables other than tubers, milk and fat and oils were inadequate when compared to the recommendations of the ICMR. The intake of pulses was found to be very meagre. It was revealed that 12 % of the fisherfolk families did not own houses and lived in houses belonging to their friends or relatives. •It was also noticed that 54% of the families resided in huts, 24% in pucca houses, 2% in concrete houses and one per cent in asbestos house. It was also seen that 65 % of the wage earners lived in huts. About sixty nine per cent of the houses were non-electrified and about 76 % did not have a latrine. Among the total fisherfolk respondents selected for the study only 15% utilised news papers as sources of information. Respondent s utilising television and radio were 9% and 17% respectively.
Open Access
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
Economics of paddy cum prawn culture in pokkali lands of Ernakulam District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Mary Vijaya, K; KAU; Mukundan, K
The present investigation on the economics of paddy cum prawn culture in Pokkali lands of Ernakulam district was undertaken during the year 1995-96. The study focussed on estimation of cost and returns, measuring productivity of farm resources and identifying constraints in paddy cum prawn production. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for the study with villages as the primary sampling units and prawn farmers as secondary sampling units, selected by random sampling method. The results of the cost structure analysis revealed that the largest single item of cost of operation was land preparation in paddy cum traditional prawn culture; and in paddy cum improved prawn culture, intercultural operations required the highest expenses. Among the explicit costs, labour accounted the highest share in paddy cum traditional prawn production and cost of materials was the most important item in paddy cum improved prawn production. Classwise analysis showed that cost A1, cost A2, cost BI, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare in class I were Rs.17490.43, Rs.l7490.43, Rs.17604.95, Rs.25104.95, RS.18591.53 and Rs.26091.53 respectively. In class II, these costs were Rs.21421.30, Rs.21421.30, Rs.21530.10, Rs.29030.10, Rs.23434.27 and Rs.30934.27. In class Ill, corresponding costs were Rs.25942.78, Rs.25942.78, Rs.16063.88, Rs.33563.88, RS.28646.63 and Rs.36146.63. In class IV, the costs were worked out to be Rs.39321.78, Rs.39321.78, Rs.39492.17, Rs.46992.17, Rs.41314.60 and Rs.48814.60 respectively. In class V, these costs were Rs.55782.10, Rs.55782.10, Rs.55950AI, Rs.63450AI, Rs.59433.92 and Rs.66933.92 respectively. For class VI, these costs were estimated to be Rs.79121.36, Rs.79121.36, Rs.79284.25, Rs.86784.25, RS.84700A2 and RS.92200A2 respectively. The average yield from main products of paddy and prawn were 2138.59 kg/ha and 385.25 kg/ha respectively. In class II their yields were 2189.30 kg/ha and 498.67 kg/ha respectively, while in class III the yields estimated to be 2211.25 kg/ha and 655.92 kg/ha from paddy and prawn. The yield obtained from paddy and prawn were 2143.33 kg/ha and 553.20 kg/ha respectively in class IV, and 2174.90 kg/ha and 865.21 kg/ha respectively in class V. In class VI the yield estimated to be 2272 kg/h~ and 1246.26 kg/ha from paddy and prawn respectively. Benefit-cost ratios based on cost A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 for class I were 1.56, 1.56, 1.54, 1.08, 1.46 and 1.04. In class II, benefit-cost ratios based on these costs were 1.61, 1.61, 1.60, 1.18, 1.47 and 1.12 respectively. For class Ill, benefit-cost ratio were 1.65, 1.65, 1.64, 1.27, 1.50 and 1.19 respectively. In class IV, these were computed to be 1.68, 1.68, 1.67, 1.40, 1.60 and 1.35 respectively, while for class V, these ratios were 1.74, 1.74, 1.73, 1.53, 1.63 and1.45. In class VI, they were estimated to be 1.75, 1.75, 1.74, 1.59, 1.64 and 1.50 respectively based on corresponding costs. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income and net income at cost C1 in class I were Rs.27238.69, Rs.9788.26, Rs.2133.74 and RS.8647.16. These measures were Rs34510.17, Rs.13088.87, Rs.5480.07 and Rs.lI075.90 in class H. In class III they were computed as RsA2912.36, Rs.16964.58, RS.9348A8 and Rs.14265.73. For class IV these income measures were worked out to be Rs65941.55, Rs.26619.77, Rs.18948.38 and Rs.24626.95. In class V, the corresponding figures were Rs.96984.45, Rs.4l200.35, RS.33532.04 and Rs.37548.53 respectively. These incomes were Rs.138544.08, Rs.59422.72, Rs.51759.83 and RS.53843.66 in class VI respectively. Production function analysis was carried out using Cobb-Douglas production function seperately for paddy cum traditional prawn production and paddy cum improved prawn production on per farm and per hectare basis. Per farm estimates of production function for paddy cum improved prawn production revealed that the regression coefficient of only one independent variable, viz., area, was estimated to be positive and significant. The production elasticity of labour, seed, feed, eradicants and manures were found to be positive but non-significant. Analysis of per hectare estimates of production function showed that elasticities of production for labour and seed were negative and non-significant. In both per farm and per hectare functional analysis the two dummy variables and also the intercept of the function were found to be significant which indicate that paddy cum 3 crops of improved prawn culture is more profitable than paddy cum for I and 2 crops of Improved prawn culture. Regarding paddy cum traditional prawn culture per farm estimates of the functions revealed that only the regression coefficient of area was found to be positive and significant. The elasticities of production of labour and seed were estimated to be negative and non-significant. Per hectare estimates of the function revealed that the production elasticity of labour was found to be negative and non- sigrnficant. The production elasticity of seed was found to be significant with negative sign which indicates over use of this input. In both per farm and per hectare functional analysis, the two dummy variables and the intercept of the function found to be significant which indicates the paddy cum 3 crops of traditional prawn culture IS more profitable than paddy cum 1 or 2 crops of traditional prawn culture. Non-availability of labour and their increased cost formed the major constraint to both paddy cum improved prawn culture and paddy cum traditional prawn culture. Problem of submergence followed by higher price of inputs and salinity and acidity were the next important constraints in paddy cum traditional prawn culture. Non-availability of prawn seed/fry followed by submergence and high cost of inputs formed second, third and fourth important constraints in paddy cum improved prawn culture. Salinity and acidity formed the fifth important constraint in the case of paddy cum improved prawn culture.
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.

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