An economic analysis of rice cultivation in Almora District of Uttarakhand
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Date
2007-06
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The study was conducted in Almora district of Uttarakhand to characterize rice cultivation practices in two distinct rice growing environments viz., terraces and valleys. The study was based on survey of 50 farmers, 25 each from terrace and valleys. The data related to year 2005-06. Simple descriptive statistical tools were used to accomplish different objective of the study. The average farm size was found to be 0.29 and 0.26 ha in terrace and valleys, respectively. Average family size was 6.16 for valleys and 5.6 for terraces. Rice accounted for 48 and 58 per cent to total cropped area in kharif in terraces and valleys, respectively. The situation of female adults reveals that 17.3 per cent were illiterate and very few were graduate and above (0.3%). Education of male adults and children was at satisfactory level. Majority of farmers belonged to marginal category which was 92 and 96 per cent to total farmers in terrace and valleys, respectively. Rice, Wheat, Mandua and Barley were the first four principal crops on terraces as well as on valleys. On overall average annual income of households was Rs. 37854. The major proportion of income was contributed by shops and government jobs which was 26 percent from each sources to total income. Crop production formed 3 and 7 percent income to total in terrace and valleys, respectively. Total labour use in rice cultivation was 141 in valleys and 82 in terraces. Per hectare cost of cultivation of rice was Rs. 13609 in the valleys which is about 44 percent more than that of terrace (Rs. 8710). In Valleys gross returns was about three times (Rs. 17864) higher than to terraces (Rs. 6149). The net returns were negative Rs.2561 per hectare in terraces where as in valleys, it was Rs. 4255. The input use pattern was almost same in both the farms. Cost of cultivation of rice on marginal and small farms were Rs. 11160 and Rs. 10422 per hectare, respectively. Gross returns from rice cultivation on marginal and small farms were Rs. 13850 and Rs. 12040 per hectare. Whereas net returns of corresponding farm size were Rs. 2690 and Rs.1618 per hectare. In terraces farmers planted only traditional varieties (TVs) while in valleys planting of modern varieties (MVs) was very common. To understand the MVs adoption behavior of farmers a descriptive analysis were applied to ascertain the influence of different factors which determine MVs adoption on sample farms. After in-depth analysis of independent variables (biophysical and socio-economic) and their potential influence on adoption of MVs, it could be concluded that the biophysical factors have greater influence on adoption of modern rice varieties. In the response of socio-economic factors no matter remains related to the adoption. The result from the study revealed that land type along with associated factor of irrigation access proved to be the crucial factor in the decision to adopt MVs, most of which are dependent on good moisture regime. Efforts should be directed to make the most of the TVs adoption by increasing the yield potential of TVs through research. The findings also implied that there should be need to redesign research program that could be able to deliver suitable interventions according to farmers preferences and biophysical conditions of target domain which was characterized as low input environment.
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