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Open Access
Economic viability and resource use efficiency of tenant farming in Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Bansal, Surbhi; Grover, D.K.
The present study has been designed to review the dynamics of tenant farming/reforms, to study the fiscal viability and input use productivity of major crops of the state for the tenant as well as the owner farmers. The study has been based on the primary data collected from 180 farmers (120 tenants and 60 owners), spread over all the major agro-climatic zones of Punjab pertaining to the crop year 2017-18. The study highlighted that the operational cost of major growing crops namely paddy, wheat, cotton and sugarcane cultivation per hectare was observed slightly lower for tenant farmers in comparison to owner farmers. Total cost of cultivation (C2) was also found relatively lower in case of tenant farmers as compared to owner farmers. The returns over variable cost were found to be comparatively higher for tenant farms in relation to owner farms. The returns over variable cost were estimated `92169, `69929, `84424 and `200081 from paddy, wheat, cotton and sugarcane on tenant farms as compared to `89673, `68700, `82916 and `187784 on the owner farms respectively. The regression analysis brought out relatively efficient input use productivity on tenant farms especially in terms of micro nutrients and other chemical fertilizers. Expensive farm machinery, ineffective government policies and inadequate timely financial assistance from banks were found as major constraints confronted by the tenant farmers in the state.
Open Access
An Empirical Study of the Efficiency of Indian Stock Market
(College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2007) Harmeet, Chadha; Sachdeva, YP
Open Access
Economic Impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) on Rural Women Labour in Punjab and Karnataka
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Ahmed, Syed Rizwan; Sanjay Kumar
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme is to provide at least or more than 100 days of guaranteed employment in financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual labour work. The scheme guaranteed rural women in the economic activity by stipulating minimum 33 per cent participation rate thereby enhancing their livelihood, social, and income security. The present study examined the impact of MGNREGS on rural women labour in Punjab and Karnataka. In order to accomplish the broad objectives, both primary as well as secondary data were used. The secondary data in terms of MGNREGS implementation, revealed that Kerala and Tamil Nadu were higher performing states and Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa were at the lowest. Similarly in Punjab, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana were the best performing districts, while the poor performing districts were Pathankot, Patiala. In Karnataka, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Bagalkote were the most efficient districts, while Yadgir, was least efficient district. Impact of MGNREGS on employment, wage income, consumption expenditure, and financial inclusion of rural women labour in Punjab and Karnataka was compared through collecting primary data by selecting Hoshiarpur (Phase I), Nawanshahr (Phase II), and Ludhiana (Phase III) districts from Punjab, and Chitradurga (Phase I), Ballari (Phase II), and Kolar (Phase III) districts from Karnataka. Finally 12 selected villages were selected covering total 300 sample women labourers and the reference period of study was the year 2016-17. Results showed that in Punjab and Karnataka, overall the number of days worked under the MGNREGS were about 51 and 91 days per year, respectively. Annual income of the rural women labourers earned from MGNREGS was Rs. 5753 and Rs. 10536. Annual spending pattern of rural women labour under MGNREGS, on food items and non-food items revealed that in Punjab, after the implementation of MGNREGS, total food expenditure was Rs.12648 and total non-food expenditure was Rs.12383. Similarly in Karnataka, was Rs. 16,964, and Rs. 18,755. Gini co-efficient revealed that MGNREGA helped in improving the income and consumption expenditure after its implementation among the rural women labour thereby reducing the inequality level in study areas. Therefore there is improvement in the distribution of income and consumption expenditure among the beneficiaries due to MGNREGS in Punjab and Karnataka. Financial inclusion aspects reported that use of bank accounts, its account activity has improved moderately. In both states, 43 per cent of account holders obtained pass books and ATM cards. 73 per cent of them take some transport facilities to access to financial services. In Punjab, 51 per cent revealed that they take nearly half day duration of time to visit a bank or post office for completing transaction for depositing and withdrawing of money, whereas 44 per cent in Karnataka. In Punjab, 31 per cent of the respondents revealed that payments get credited to beneficiary account holders within one week, in Karnataka, the response were 55 percent. In Punjab, 23 per cent of them received payments from Government including MGNREGS while in Karnataka, the response were 23 per cent. In Punjab, 22 per cent of them deposits for savings directly in their bank accounts, and in Karnataka, the response were 23 per cent. In Punjab, 30 per cent sourcing of loan was from local money lenders while in Karnataka, the response were 24 per cent. In Punjab, annual savings was Rs. 4350 while in Karnataka, was Rs.6093. In Punjab, major problems faced by the rural women labour participant of MGNREGS were lack of adequate work, While in Karnataka, unnecessary delay in wage payment, and they complained of low wage rates. Likewise unemployment allowance was not paid, lack of childcare facilities and medical aid at work site, presence of social prohibition etc were reported. Suggestion forwarded by them, with regard to smooth and effective functioning of scheme was revealed that more women friendly work and skilled activities are needed to be identified, so that the beneficiaries may get minimum 100 days of employment in a year. Employment in the scheme may be provided more during agriculturally lean seasons. Wage rates may be enhanced and should be provided in time.
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Status of agricultural marketing infrastructure in Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gohain, Namami; Sukhpal Singh
The present study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the magnitude of existing agricultural marketing infrastructure in Punjab, studying the trends in market arrivals of different crops in Punjab, analyzing the extent of adequacy of market infrastructure, studying the problems and constraints faced by the farmers in the marketing of farm produce and spelling out the policy implications of the study. The primary data was collected during 2016- 17 from a sample of 180 farmers from 6 districts of the state. An increase in the number of principal markets, storage capacity and road length per 100 sq km of area was witnessed over the years whereas there was a decline in the average number of villages served per regulated market. Majority of the principal yards and sub yard had the facilities of covered sheds, auction platforms, roads and parking and boundary walls. Trend analysis indicated an increasing trend in the market arrivals of paddy, wheat, fruits and vegetables whereas cotton and maize displayed a decreasing trend over time. Analysis of adequacy of regulated markets in Punjab revealed that the magnitude of regulated markets is somewhat closer to the required number of markets for almost all the districts of the state. Factor analysis on various infrastructural facilities revealed that weighing facilities, lighting arrangements and electricity were adequate in the markets of Punjab. Garrett’s ranking technique ranked delay in procurement as the major problem of paddy marketing. However, exploitative practices by the intermediaries, lack of public procurement and lack of remunerative prices were identified as major problems faced during marketing of basmati, maize and cotton respectively. For the marketing of fruits, the major problem faced by the farmers was the exploitative practices by market intermediaries whereas in case of vegetable, lack of remunerative price for their produce was identified as the major problem. Therefore emphasis should be laid on enhancing the existing facilities in the regulated markets, providing appropriate information on prices of agricultural commodities and imparting training to farmers for efficient marketing.
Open Access
Economic evaluation of timber cultivation in Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Bhangu, Preet Kamal Singh; Manjeet Kaur
The present study analysed viability of poplar and eucalyptus (desi and clonal) cultivation in block and boundary plantation in Punjab. It further investigated the comparative economics of timber cultivation vis-à-vis wheat-paddy, risk involved, supply chain analysis and adoption behaviour of timber cultivation in Punjab. For the purpose, primary data were collected from 300 farmers; 100 poplar growers, 100 eucalyptus growers and 100 non-adopter farmers from Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Muktsar districts. To analyse the supply chain of timber, 84 intermediaries were selected. The data were collected for the year 2015-16. BC ratio, NPV and annuity value were estimated. Two types of agro-forestry systems AFS-1 (wheat + khariff fodder during first four years) and AFS-2 (sugarcane for first two years and wheat during 3-4 years) were identified. AFS-2 (NPV Rs 164998) gave marginally higher returns than AFS-1 (Rs 155489) at 12 % discount rate at fourth year of harvesting. The study revealed that net returns from poplar cultivation were at par with pure cropping system. In case of eucalyptus, the clonal variety gave higher returns in terms of BC ratio, NPV and annuity value. NPV was Rs 52991 for desi eucalyptus and Rs. 76299 for clonal variety at 12% discount rate at the fifth year of harvesting. In boundary plantation, the one side plantation gave the higher returns than two and four side plantation. Farmers got the net margin of Rs 260 per quintal in case of poplar by selling it to pre-harvest contractor whereas in case eucalyptus farmers received net margin of Rs 280 per quintal. Socio-economic parameters like age and members working in agriculture were negatively correlated with adoption behaviour while farm size, education, off farm income and extension contacts were positively correlated with adoption behaviour of timber cultivation.
Open Access
Study on potentials of farm income in Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2011) Sachdeva, Jatinder; Sharma, J. L.
The study was undertaken with a view to identify the potentials of increasing farm income in Punjab. The study was conducted in all the three agro-climatic zones of Punjab to make it representative for the state. The primary data were collected from a sample of 300 farmers pertaining to the agricultural year 2008-09. The techniques of multiple regression analysis and linear programming were used to analyze the data. The production function analysis revealed that human labour employed, availability of irrigation machinery and farm size were the most important determinants of the gross value of produce from crop production. Whereas, in the case of dairy farming quantity of concentrates fed and expenditure on veterinary care emerged as important determinants of the gross value of milk produced. The technical efficiency of the farms of Central Plain Zone (Zone-II) was the highest followed by South-western Zone (Zone-III) and Sub-mountainous Zone (Zone-I). This can be attributed to favourable soil, water and climatic conditions and better access to research and extension agencies in Zone-II. The improved plans developed at two levels of technology increased the returns to fixed farm resources ranging from 2.19 to 3.86 per cent in Improved Plan-I and 13.95 to 17.06 per cent in Improved Plan-II on farms of different size categories in the state. The findings of the study revealed that by developing irrigation facilities, providing training for vegetable cultivation and short term credit facilities will help in increasing farm income especially in Sub-mountainous Zone. The development of short duration varieties of oilseeds and pulses which can easily fit in the paddy-wheat rotation will also help in increasing the income of farmers. The rational use of inputs like fertilizers and insecticides-pesticides helps in decreasing variable cost and ultimately increases the farm income. To make the agricultural system competitive and to increase the income of farmers, efforts should be made by all the interest groups involved in the farm sector.
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Impact of climate change on production efficiency of rice and wheat crops in Punjab agriculture
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Sunny Kumar; Sidana, Baljinder Kaur
The present study examined the impact of climate change on production efficiency of rice and wheat crop in Punjab Agriculture. In order to accomplish the specific objectives, both primary as well as secondary data was used. The secondary data was collected to study the annual and seasonal (rice growing period-June to September and wheat growing period- November to March) trends in temperature (maximum and minimum) and rainfall during 30 years (1986 to 2015) at five locations of Punjab namely Bathinda, Fairdkot, Ludhiana, Ballowal Saunkhri and Patiala. Primary data was collected from the sample of 200 farmers from eight villages of 4 districts of Punjab namely Faridkot, Ludhiana, SBS Nagar and Gurdaspur districts through multi-stage random sampling technique. The study revealed that during the last three decades most of the locations experienced significant increase in maximum as well as minimum temperature in both rice and wheat growing period. The annual rainfall ranged from 296 mm to 1057 mm at different stations of Punjab; out of which about 75 per cent was received during rice growing period. To know the impact of climate change fixed effects panel model was applied and results revealed that the coefficient of minimum temperature has been found to be negative significant in both rice and wheat crop. The marginal effects revealed that an increase of 1°C of minimum temperature in rice growing period, will decrease the rice yield by 1.20 per cent. Likewise, the rise in maximum temperature in wheat crop would reduce the yield by 1.08 per cent. The projections were made and the results showed that with a significant change in climate, the yield of rice will be lower by around 16.05 per cent and wheat by about 5.43 per cent by the year 2100, indicating decline in rice yield will be almost three times more than that of wheat. Further, the study revealed that laser leveller and improvement in irrigation structure are the most important adaptations in response to climate variability. In adaptation strategies for paddy cultivation, the variable cost ha-1 was less in Direct Seeded Rice (`28417) as compared to non-adopters (`36816), thereby resulting into a cost saving of 30 per cent. Similarly, the adoption of Zero till wheat among different climate resilient technologies of wheat cultivation saved 5 per cent net returns as compared to non-adopter. The lack of knowledge about technology, lack of credit and low capacity building were the most important constraints in adoption of climate resilient technologies. Strengthening of agricultural credit and extension for effective transfer of technologies has been found to be the important components to cope up with climate variability.
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Dynamics of input use efficiency and profitability in Punjab agriculture
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Bhoi, Priya Brata; Jasdev Singh
The present study has been carried out to examine the temporal changes in use of inputs, cost structure and profitability in Punjab agriculture; to examine the efficiency of farmers in crop production and its determinants; and to analyse the bulk line cost in relation to average cost and Minimum Support Price (MSP) of major crops in the state. Data generated under cost of cultivation scheme regarding principal crops of state i.e. wheat, paddy and cotton was analysed for this purpose. Overtime increase (1981-82 to 2012-13) in fixed cost in case of wheat and paddy and operational cost in case of cotton mainly contributed towards the increase in of total cost of cultivation of these crops. Component-wise, cost on account of the rental value of land, human labour, machine labour and insecticides increased in a major way in cultivation of the study crops. Further, the rise in input prices rather than physical use had been the major reason behind increase in the input costs. Overtime while the profitability of wheat and paddy increased consistently with some variations, the profitability of cotton crop fluctuated in a major way and farmers also faced net losses during some years of the study period. Farm size wise analysis at two points of time (2001-02 and 2011-12) revealed an inverse relationship between farm size and cost of production of wheat and paddy. Thus, the scale economies on larger farms which led to relative lower per unit cost resulted in higher profitability in comparison to their smaller counterparts. However no such relationship was observed in case of cotton production. The production function analysis revealed the sub-optional use of some of the crucial inputs in the production of study crops. Thus, optimal use of inputs would have helped in increasing the profitability of crops. The estimated average technical efficiency of farmers in production of wheat, paddy and cotton at 85, 83 and 79 per cent during 2011-12 pointed towards the existence of potential to raise the output of these crops at the same level of input use through increased farm specific efficiency. The size of operational area, education of farmer, investment, tenancy level and level of fragmentation were observed to be the main determinants of farm level technical efficiency. Although MSP of wheat and paddy was observed to cover the average cost of production fairly during 2001-02 and 2011-12, the level of profitability at bulk line cost was only marginal. However, in the cotton crop, the MSP did not even cover the average C2 cost and bulk line cost of cotton was found to be significantly higher than it. To increase farm profitability, the study suggests that there is need to check unusual rise in input prices along with strengthening of the agricultural extension system and to take steps to discourage fragmentation of lands. Further, liberalization of land lease market and shifting to a transparent price fixation mechanism ensuring some reasonable levels of farm incomes may boost capital formation and lead to the increase in the farm specific crop production efficiency.
Open Access
Resource use, employment and income among marginal and small farm households in Punjab
(PAU, 2013) Sharma, Richa; Garg, B.R.
The present study was undertaken to study the resource use and income on the marginal and small farms in Punjab, to develop optimum product-mix for these farms and compare it with existing ones, to find out credit requirements and access to institutional finance on these farms, to study the nature and extent of employment of these farm households and to identify factors determining income for the marginal and small farm households. The primary data related to availability and use of various resources on the marginal and the small farms, access to credit of the farmers, nature and extent of employment and sources of income of the marginal and small farm households were collected through personal interview method from the sample of 320 farmers in Punjab pertaining to the year 2009-10. The results brought out that the marginal and the small farmers not only had a small size of operational holding but also suffered from lack of various resources in farm production. There existed a scope to increase income on their farm provided new high yielding crop and other alternative activities were introduced to them along with provision of sufficient capital and technical knowhow for their production. The industry of agriculture was the main source of employment for the household members of the marginal and the small farmers. Only a few persons from these farm households could find employment in the other industries. There was felt an urgent need to strengthen non-farm sector in Punjab in order to siphon off unemployed or disguisedly employed household members of the marginal and small farmers from the industry of agriculture.

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