AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PIGEONPEA PRODUCTION IN KAIMUR DISTRICT OF BIHAR
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Date
2021
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DRPCAU, PUSA
Abstract
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is the second most important pulse crop in the country after gram and it is cultivated mainly, during kharif season. Pigeonpea is one of the important major protein-rich and source of carbohydrates, Bāgroup vitamins, and certain minerals. This legumes crop is major crop of the semi-arid tropics which is grown throughout the tropical and subtropical area of the world. Its seeds and fodders constitute about twenty to twenty two per cent protein. Seeds are also rich in fundamental amino acids like Lysine, Arginine and Cystine along with iron and iodine. Red gram being a leguminous crop, besides its value of nutrition it has also a unique property of enhancing and maintaining soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. It improves the physical properties and heath of the soil in the field by virtue of its own unique property.
The present study was carried out to assess the growth rate in area, production and productivity in major pigeonpea growing district of Bihar and examine the cost of cultivation, resource-use-efficiency and major constraints in pigeonpea production in Kaimur district. The study was based on both primary as well as secondary data and carried out in the Kaimur district of Bihar selected purposively. Further two blocks of Kaimur district and five villages from each blocks were selected randomly. Sixty farmers from each block were randomly selected, thus, a total number of 120 farmers were selected for detailed studies and investigations.The result of the study revealed that the approximately, fifty five per cent of pigeonpea growers were marginal farmers having size of land holdings less than one hectare. The percentage of medium (2.01 -4.00 hectare) and small farmers (1.01-2.00 hectare) were 22.50 and 15.00 % respectively and the large category of farmers (>4 hectare) were only 7.5 % in the sample. Majority of family members (67.50 %) were from the age of 30-50 year followed by more than 50 years of age (17.50 %) and 15.00 % sample respondents from the age of 20-30 years.
Relatively larger proportion (29.17 %) of farmers had qualification up to secondary level, followed by primary (21.67 %), and Higher secondary (20.83 %). Illiterate and functionally literate were 15.83 % and only 11.67 % sample respondents were found to be graduate and post-graduate. Out of the total source of income taken by the farmers, 70.83 % had from agriculture occupation followed by agriculture plus business (22.50 %), and agriculture plus service only 6.67 %, respectively.
Per hectare costs involved in and returns from pigeonpea were calculated. From the findings, it was seen that, per hectare cost of cultivation (Rs./ha) for overall farmers in term of cost concept cost-C1, C2, and C3 of pigeonpea cultivation was Rs. 25121.18, 49590.45, 54549.49, Cost-B1 and B2 was Rs. 23503.48, 46272.88 followed by Cost-A1 and A2 was Rs. 21803.60, 24703.74 respectively. The total cost of the four types of the pigeonpea farmers indicates that the total cost decreases with increasing the size of land of pigeonpea farmers.
The calculated costs and returns of pigeonpea cultivation revealed that the productivity (Q/ha), gross return (Rs./ha), net return (Rs./ha), benefit-cost ratio and cost of production of pigeonpea (Rs./Q) for overall farmers were 14.69, 76382.70, 26797.55 (over cost C2), 1:1.54 (over cost C2) and 3375.80 (over cost C2) respectively.The coefficient of multiple determinations i.e. (R2) was 0.826 which indicated 82.60 % variation in pigeonpea production was explained by selected independent variables. The return to scale was 0.950 which indicated decreasing return to scale and the level of production was working in the rational stage of production curve.
Human labour partial regression coefficient under pigeonpea was 0.41 which was positively significant at 1 % level of significance. Machine labour, partial regression coefficient was positively significant and capital cost was negatively significant at 5 % level of significance and these were 0.17 and -0.08 respectively. Partial regression coefficient of seed and fertilizer was positive and it was 0.19 and 0.25 respectively.
In the opinion of sample farmers, unfavourable climatic condition, outbreak of disease and pest and high price of farm input were the major production constraints. High rate of interest and non-availability of adequate credit were the most important financial constraints. Major marketing constraints were price fluctuation and lack of access to market. These were the common obstacles confronted by the pigeonpea sample respondents in the study area from cultivation to marketing of pigeonpea crop.