Demand for environmental quality- the case of eco-friendly technologies in crop production
| dc.contributor.advisor | Indira, Devi P | |
| dc.contributor.author | Divya, K | |
| dc.contributor.author | KAU | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2017-08-10T06:52:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2017-08-10T06:52:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2007 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The study entitled “Demand for Environmental Quality – The case of eco-friendly technologies in crop production” was conducted in Thrissur district of Kerala state, on two major food crops (rice and banana). The main objectives were analysing the market structure of organic inputs in agriculture and identifying the factors influencing the adoption of ecofriendly technologies. The study was undertaken during March to July 2007. The data was gathered from 160 farmers through personal interview method using structured pretested interview schedule. The samples were selected by the random sampling method. 80 each banana and rice farmers were selected of which 40 each were following chemical based agriculture and the rest organic farming or IPM. Apart from this the organic input supplying commercial firms in the area were also contacted. The eco friendly rice farmers applied organic manures at an average level of 2479 Kg /ha, which is 57% higher than that of their counterparts. In banana it is higher by 88%. Cow dung is the major manure accounting for 61-74% of the total organic manure application, mainly from own sources. Biofertilizer application was not noticed in any of the farms. The nutrients supplied through chemical fertilizers were lower (up to 35% in Sulphur in rice and 85% in Phosphorus in banana) than the chemical based farms. Similarly the use of pest control chemicals was also comparatively less. The labour use in ecofriendly farms was found to be marginally higher (3%) with a 10 –15% higher level of women labour use. The total cost of cultivation (cost C1) of ecofriendly rice farms was 10% higher at Rs. 17097/ha, realising only 7% higher net income (Rs.4541/ha). This leads to same BC ratio of 1.27 (at cost C1 level) in both types of farms. In banana, the cost is 37% (Rs. 60044/ha) less in ecofriendly farms, with a 27% fall in yield. The gain in net income is only 2%. Hence the BC ratio of ecofriendly farms is comparatively high at 3.00 than their counterpart farms (2.20). The supply side analysis of organic inputs shows the presence of six channels in the study area. Ten major firms (most of them certified) together were selling 135 tones of bio inputs in an year. However official quality testing data shows the presence of substandard samples in the market. The major factors that influence the farmer to follow eco friendly farming method were identified with the analysis using a logit model. Area under the crop, perception of yield loss (1% level) and experience in farming (5% level) were found to have a negative influence while the training support (1% level) and mass media exposures(10% level) were observed to have a significant positive influence. The study suggests programme for local production of organic inputs and scientific monitoring system for quality control of commercial organic inputs. The market support programme for safe produce may be thought of to realise a higher price. The training and mass media may be used as an effective tool for awareness creation. Realistic information of yield performance in ecofriendly farms and its effective dissemination is important. Small farm owners are more likely to shift to eco friendly methods and hence they may be focused. The study suggests future line of work in favour of organic input market in Kerala. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810028261 | |
| dc.keywords | Agricultural Economics | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara | en_US |
| dc.sub | Agricultural Economics | |
| dc.subject | null | en_US |
| dc.theme | eco-friendly technologies in crop production | en_US |
| dc.these.type | M.Sc | en_US |
| dc.title | Demand for environmental quality- the case of eco-friendly technologies in crop production | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |