Browsing by Author "Thomas, E K"

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Distribution of farm and non-farm income among rural households
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1998) Prema, A; Thomas, E K
Economic analysis of cool season vegetables in Devikulam block of Idukki district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Karthikeyan, N; Thomas, E K
Economic analysis of rice production in Kuttanad and kole areas of kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Mohandas, K; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on economic analysis of rice production in Kuttanad and kole areas of Kerala was undertaken during the agricultural year 1992-93. The study aimed at comparing costs and returns, measure productivity of farm resources, examine the possibility of increasing incomes by reallocating the existing resources and examining the marketed surplus and factors contributing to it and to identify the constraints in rice production. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers. Two stage random sampling was adopted for the study. The largest single item of cost of operation was fertilizer and its application cost for both Kuttanad and kole. The largest single item of input was labour in both the areas. Cost A1, cost A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare were Rs.9953.03, Rs.9953.02, Rs.9953.02, Rs.13090.68, Rs.10099.82 and Rs.13237.48 respectively for Kuttanad and Rs.9566.17, Rs.9566.17, Rs.9566.17, Rs.12256.35, Rs.9706.17 and Rs.12396.35 respectively for kole area. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts, in rice cultivation such as gross income, farm business income , family labour income, net income and benefit cost ratio were Rs.15688.30, Rs.5735.28, Rs.2597.62, Rs.2450.82 and 1.19 respectively for Kuttanad and Rs.13450.91, Rs.3884.74, Rs.1194.56, Rs.1054.56 and 1.09 respectively for kole area. The average per hectare yield in quintals of rice in Kuttanad was 37.72 excluding harvest charges paid in kind and 47.15 including kind portion. Corresponding values for kole area were 32.53 and 40.66 quintals respectively. Benefit cost ratio calculated both by excluding and including the kind portion of the produce were 1.19 and 1.14 respectively for Kuttanad. The corresponding benefit-cost ratios for kole area were 1.09 and 1.07 respectively. Bulk line cost on C2 basis was Rs.4000 per tones for Kuttanad and Rs.4600 per tonne for kole area. Production function analysis done separately for the two areas revealed that contribution of independent variables namely machine labour, human labour and fertilizer towards gross income was found to be significant and positive for both the areas. The estimated percentage increase in gross income with one per cent increase in these three inputs came to 0.12 per cent, 0.46 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively for Kuttanad area. For kole area, the corresponding values are 0.09 per cent, 0.51 per cent and 0.28 per cent respectively. The sum of the elasticities of production function for Kuttanad and kole were 0.9748 and 0.8936 respectively, and indicated diminishing returns to scale. Marginal value productivity to factor-cost ratios showed that a rupee invested in the three inputs, viz., machine labour, human labour and fertilizer will add Rs.5.25, Rs.1.47 and Rs.2.33 respectively in Kuttanad and Rs.2.78, Rs.1.42 and Rs.1.42 respectively for kole area, if the farmer has unlimited amount of money. Under limited resource conditions, optimum levels of inputs such as machine labour, human labour and fertilizer were worked out for both the areas. For Kuttanad to achieve maximum production, the expenditure on machine labour, and fertilizer should be enhanced from the existing level whereas the expenditure on human labour should be reduced. In the case of kole area, the expenditure on machine labour should be enhanced while the same on human labour should be reduced. The analysis also showed that by re-allocating the existing resources farmers could increase their income by 16.61 pr cent at the aggregate level in Kuttanad. Marketing analysis revealed that the marketed surplus amounted for 69.17 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and 67.89 per cent of the total produce in kole area. For the sample as a whole marketed surplus accounted for 68.92 per cent of the total produce. The quantity given as wages came to 18.06 per cent and 14.89 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and kole areas respectively. Around 10.28 and 14.93 per cent of the total produce was used for farm household consumption in Kuttanad and kole areas. The quantity used for seed purpose was 2.49 and 2.29 per cent of the total produce in Kuttanad and kole areas respectively. Multiple regression analysis to estimate the factors determining the marketed surplus for the sample as a whole revealed that productivity is the only significant variable. Non-availability of labour and their increased costs, weed infestation and incidence of pests and diseases were perceived by the farmers as the important constraints to rice production in both the areas. Salinity and acidity followed by the problem of submergence formed the fifth and sixth major constraints in Kuttanad. In kole submergence formed the fifth constraint followed by the problem of acidity and salinity.
Economic impact of minor irrigation in Palakkad district
(College of Horticulture, Vellanikara, 1996) Aji George, C; Thomas, E K
Economics of production and marketing of banana in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Nambiar Sajini Balakrishnan; Thomas, E K
Economics of production and marketing of tuber crops in Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sheena, P A; 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.
Impact assessment of cluster approach in integrated coconut management
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, 2008) Swapna Surendran; Thomas, E K
Cluster approach in integrated coconut management is a programme implemented by the Coconut Development Board in which a contiguous area extending up to 25 hectares is registered as a cluster. Landholdings ranging from five cents to four acres, accommodating one to 200 palms are included in the cluster and the scheme envisages a financial assistance up to Rs 7000 per acre for two consecutive years. The programme was implemented on a pilot basis in the year 2005-06 in four clusters of Alappuzha district viz. Kanjikuzhy, Pattanakkadu, Uzhuva and Muthukulam. The study was intended to assess the trend in area, production and productivity of coconut in Kerala as well as Alappuzha district and to assess the changes in coconut crop status and income status of farmer groups. Simple random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of respondent farmers from all the four clusters viz. Kanjikuzhy, Pattanakkadu, Uzhuva and Muthukulam. From each cluster, 40 farmers were selected at random, making a total sample size of 160. After collection of data, the selected sample was post stratified into two classes based on the cultivable area. Class I included farmers having cultivable area up to 50 cents and Class II accommodated the farmers having cultivable area above 50 cents. For analyzing the trend in area, production and productivity of coconut in Kerala and Alappuzha district, data from 1975-76 to 2005-06 and 1983-84 to 2005-06 respectively were collected from the records of Coconut Development Board. Data for Alappuzha district were collected from 1983-84 onwards, prior to which Pathanamthitta was a part of Alappuzha. For studying the trend in area, production and productivity, the whole period was divided into sub-periods: Pre-WTO period (1975-76 to 1994-95) and Post-WTO period (1995-96 to 2005-06). In the case of Alappuzha district, the Pre-WTO period extended from 1983-84 onwards. Growth rates were estimated by using exponential model for the whole period and kinked exponential model for the sub-periods. In Kerala, the growth rate of production (2.7 per cent) showed a positive and increasing trend and was equally contributed by area (1.37 per cent) and productivity (1.38 per cent) during the whole period. In Pre-WTO period, growth in production (1.86 per cent) was attributed to expansion in area (1.18 per cent), even when the growth in productivity (0.82 per cent) was stagnant, whereas in Post-WTO period, the effect of productivity (2.17 per cent) was more pronounced, compared to growth in area (1.04 per cent) which resulted in a commendable growth in production (3.15 per cent). In case of Alappuzha district, growth in production (1.1 per cent) was more or less equally contributed by expansion of area (0.48 per cent) and growth in productivity (0.63 per cent) for the whole period. The increasing trend of production in Pre-WTO period was mainly due to expansion in area (1.68 per cent) even when the growth rate of productivity (-0.36 per cent) showed a negative trend whereas in Post-WTO period, the growth in production (0.54 per cent) was stagnant, which was mainly due to the decline in area (-1.12 per cent). Shift in cropping pattern and cropping intensity were studied and it was found that the area under coconut increased in absolute terms though it showed a decline in relative terms during the post-project period when compared to the pre-project period which was due to the more proportion of area brought under intercrops cultivation. Cropping intensity also showed a slight increase in the post-project period compared to earlier and the increase was from 108 to 109 per cent for the overall sample. After the project implementation, gross expenses showed an increase of about 23 percent due to the increased cultivation of intercrops and scientific management practices followed in the coconut gardens. Yield of coconut showed a slight increase. It is expected in a perennial crop like coconut when more time is required for getting stabilized yield. Gross returns also showed an increase of 17.9 percent, due to the increase in crop productivity as well as additional returns realized from cultivation of intercrops and also due to the increased selling of tender nuts and seed nuts. During the project period, the Coconut Development Board spent an amount of Rs 14.32 lakhs towards the implementation of the programme. It could generate Rs 17.49 lakhs worth additional benefit to the society through enhanced productivity and additional income generation alone. There were indirect impacts like additional employment generation and commissioning of ancillary units, which could not be quantified. Once these indirect benefits are also accounted, the social gains could be much higher. The major constraints experienced in the programme were lack of marketing facilities and unavailability of skilled labour for harvesting and plant protection.
Income savings and capital formation in farm households of Kodakara development block
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Prema, A; Thomas, E K
Investment pattern in rural households of Ollukkara block panchayath in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Pratheesh, V S; Thomas, E K
Agriculture which is the back bone of Indian economy, is now heading towards a radical transformation. When the green revolution technology was introduced in the mid sixties, great expectations were raised as to the beneficial effects it could induce into every class of farmers and other sectors of the populations by increasing food production, employment opportunities and income levels. But its latter day performances have belied these expectations and it seemed that only those who have necessary absorptive capacity or infrastructure are only benefited. So for the betterment of agriculture there should be more and more investment both in the public and private sector. Under these circumstances the present study entitled "Investment Pattern in rural households of Ollukkara block panchayath in Thrissur district" is of high relevance and was conducted with the following objectives. 1. To study the different sources of income of rural people 2. To examine the savings and expenditure pattern 3. To analyze the nature of investment 4. To identify the constraints associated with investment in rural areas. The study was conducted in the sample selected at random from 50 numbers of Agricultural labourers, farmers and service sector people from the five wards selected from the total 74 wards in the Ollukkara block panchayath of Thrissur district. The data for the agricultural year 2001-2002 were collected using a well structured interview schedule. The study revealed that the mainsource of farm income in farmers and service sector people was crops where as for labourers it was livestock. On an average 81. 9 5 per cent of the total farm income was directed from the crops and only 18,95 was from livestock. Category wise analysis showed that net income and benefit cost ratio were much higher for labourer households and lowest for service sector people. 141 At the aggregate level, consumption expenditure accounted for 78.91 per cent, and the rest 21.09 per cent was for farm expenditure. Of the total, 78.09 per cent of farm expenditure was incurred for crops and only 21.91 per cent was made for livestock. The Category wise analysis showed that per household savings was highest for the service sector people followed by farmers and labourers. With respect to the gross farm investment, purchase of livestock was the most important item of investment followed by investment on land improvement, purchase of irrigation appliances, construction and repair of farm buildings and digging and repair of wells. The average rate of farm investment was only 1.53 per cent while the non farm investment was at the rate of 5.41 per cent. Lack of employment, High cost of living, and high loan out standing were reported as the most important constraint for investment along with constraints like non availability of labour, lack of irrigation etc.
Kisan credit card scheme: an economic evaluation
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Sangitha K Viswanath; Thomas, E K
The main objectives of the study entitled “Kisan Credit Card Scheme: An Economic Evaluation are to study the growth of Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Kerala, to examine the pattern and adequacy of credit supply, to study the timeliness, repayment and overdue pattern of the scheme and to identify operational problems in order to suggest measures for improvement. The study was conducted in Kannur district. From the secondary data collected it was found that maximum number if cards were disbursed in Kannur district. Multistage random sampling technique was used for selection of samples. Thirty farmers each were selected from three banks namely Syndicate Bank (Mambaram), North Malabar Gramin Bank (Pala) and Pathiriyaad Service Co-operative Bank making the sample size to 90. The survey was conducted in May 2007 using a well structured interview schedule. The study of the status of Kisan Credit Cards revealed that for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies there was considerable increase in the number of cards and loan amount disbursed through the scheme. In RRBs more number of cards was disbursed through North Malabar Gramin Bank (NMGB) than South Malabar Gramin Bank (SMGB). Out of the total Kisan Credit Cards issued through Commercial Banks, 48.3 per cent was supplied by State Bank group, 45.5 per cent by nationalized banks and 6.2 per cent by Private Sector Banks. Nationalized Banks had disbursed maximum amount of loan through Kisan Credit Cards (45.7 per cent) followed by State Bank (36.4 per cent) and Private Banks (14.9 per cent). Assessment of adequacy of loan under the scheme was studied by cross tabulating the data pertaining to the adequacy of loan based on adequacy measure and the opinion survey on individual bank basis. The results showed that out of the 30 farmers who took loan under the scheme from Commercial Bank, only nine had received adequate amount of credit under the scheme (30 per cent) when opinion survey and adequacy measure were considered together. In RRB,3.3 per cent and in Co-operative Bank 6.7 per cent of the card holders got adequate credit when adequacy measure and opinion survey was considered simultaneously. With respect to the timely availability of credit under the scheme, only 25.6 per cent of the total respondents had stated that credit was not available on time while the rest 74.4 per cent had opined that credit was available at the proper time without any delay. Out of the total sample of 90 respondents, 37.8 per cent had completely repaid the loan amount and 62.2 per cent had partially repaid the loan amount. Among the card holders from Commercial Bank, 26.7 per had repaid the loan completely and 73.3 per cent had repaid it partially while in RRB 53.3 per cent repaid completely and 46.3 per cent repaid partially. In Co-operative banks, 37.8 per cent had repaid the loan completely while 62.2 per cent had partially repaid the loan. A few operational problems like high rate of interest in RRB, inadequacy of credit from RRB and Co-operative bank, were noticed during the study. The credit limit fixed based on the scale of finance was need to be revised. Suggestion was made for provision of a pass book to the borrowers and the credit card is to be linked with ATM facility.
Production and marketing of vegetables in Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sreela, P; Thomas, E K
The present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of vegetables in Palakkad district was aimed at analyzing the economics of vegetables viz; bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd and to assess the technical efficiency, marketing efficiency and constraints faced by the vegetable growers. The study was conducted in Nemmara block of Palakkad district, which was one of the major vegetable growing belts in the district having a larger proportion of area under bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd when compared to other vegetables. A sample of 60 growers for each vegetable was selected. Two stage random sampling procedure was adopted for the study and percentage analysis was used to analyse the data. The profitability was estimated using ABC cost concepts and technical efficiency was estimated using stochastic frontier production function of Cobb Douglas form. Bulkline costs were calculated for the three vegetables. Marketing efficiency was worked out using Shepherd’s formula. Total expenditure at Cost C3 at aggregate level was Rs.105717, Rs.103277, Rs.137498 and Rs.98711 for bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd-main crop and ivy gourd-ratoon crop respectively. The explicit costs, which included all the paid out costs, were Rs.55027, Rs.54293, Rs.72934 and Rs.38217 respectively for the three vegetables. The outputs per hectare were 23721 kg/ha, 23999 kg/ha, 19364 kg/ha and 16764 kg/ha respectively in the case of bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop). The total value of output per hectare of these vegetables were 1.86 lakh, 1.17 lakh,1.36 lakh and1.17 lakh rupees in the respective order. Cost of production per quintal of bittergourd were Rs.226, Rs.247, Rs.226, Rs.261, Rs.370 Rs.405 and Rs.446 per quintal in the respective order for cost A1, cost A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 cost C2 and C3. These costs were observed in the respective order as Rs.226, Rs.247, Rs.226, Rs.261, Rs.359, Rs.391 and Rs.430 in the case of snakegourd. An amount of Rs.344, Rs.375, Rs.344, Rs.473, Rs.516, Rs.646 and Rs.710 respectively were spent to produce one quintal of ivy gourd-main crop on the above costs. The corresponding figures for ivy gourd-ratoon crop were Rs.234, Rs.269, Rs.234, Rs.383, Rs.386 Rs.535 and Rs.589. Bulkline cost per quintal for bittergourd, snakegourd, ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop) were Rs.508, Rs.484, Rs.852 and Rs.768 respectively. The net income for bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd (main crop) and ivy gourd (ratoon crop) were Rs.80478, Rs. 13288, Rs. –1951 and Rs.18636 respectively. At cost C3 level, benefit cost ratio of bittergourd and snakegourd were 1.76 and 1.13 in the respective order. The corresponding figures for ivy gourd-main crop and ivy gourd-ratoon crop were 0.99 and 1.16 respectively. Bittergourd had the highest BC ratio (3.38) at paid out cost level followed by ivygourd-ratoon crop (3.07), snakegourd (2.15) and ivy gourd-main crop (1.86) For bittergourd, snakegourd and ivy gourd, mean technical efficiencies were 0.85,0.91 and 0.58 respectively when land was included as one of the variables. In the case where mounds were added as a variable instead of land, mean technical efficiencies were worked out to be 0.88 for bittergourd and 0.92 for both snakegourd and ivy gourd. Technical efficiency of the individual farms varied widely between 30 and 100 per cent. The channel, Producer – VFPCK market – wholesaler – Retailer– consumer, was the most important marketing channel in the case of bittergourd and snake gourd, while the channel, Producer – Commission agent – Wholesaler – Retailer – Consumer was identified as the most important one for ivy gourd. In the case of bitter gourd, producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was Rs. 7.6 (50.70 per cent) whereas in the case of snakegourd it was Rs. 4.75 (47.50 per cent). For ivy gourd, the same was Rs. 5.44 per kg. (36.3 per cent). The index of marketing efficiency was highest for bittergourd (1.03) followed by snakegourd (0.91) and ivy gourd (0.57). The most important constraint faced by the vegetable growers in the study area was the incidence of pests and diseases. It was followed by the problems of high input cost, inadequacy of capital, non-availability of labor and low price of the produce
Production marketing and supply respons of sugarcane in Chittor area
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Rathish, R; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on the production, marketing and supply response of sugarcane in Chittoor Area of Palakkad District was conducted during 1991-’92. The main objectives of the study were:- (1) To estimate the supply response of sugarcane (2) To find out the economics of production (3) To estimate the resource use efficiency (4) To examine the marketing practices and problems Secondary data were collected from secondary sources and primary data from One hundred and Twenty farmers and traders using two stage random sampling technique. The compound growth rates were 6.87 per cent, 0.24 per cent and 6.61 cent of area, productivity and production respectively. Increase in sugarcane production was mainly due to area increase. Area-price interaction effect was also found to be significant. Area lagged by one year and two years were significant but when time trend was included they became insignificant. For the sample as a whole, Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare were Rs.13,597.46, Rs.13,597.46, Rs.14,094.76, Rs.19,761.87, Rs.15,010.67 and Rs.20,677.78 respectively for sugarcane planted crop, Rs.11,201.41, Rs.11,201.41, Rs.11,682.09, Rs.16,344.55, Rs.12,497.17 and Rs.17,159.63 for ratoon crop and Rs.12,399.44, Rs.12,399.44, Rs.12,888.43, Rs.18,053.25, Rs.13,753.92 and Rs.18,918.70 for combined crop. For the sample as a whole, costs of production were Rs.148.75, Rs.148.75, Rs.154.19, Rs.216.19, Rs.164.21 and Rs.226.21 for planted crop, Rs.148.95, Rs.148.95, Rs.155.35, Rs.217.35, Rs.166.19 and Rs.228.19 for ratoon crop and Rs.148.85, Rs.148.85, Rs.154.77, Rs.216.77, Rs.165.20 and Rs.227.20 for combined crop based on Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 respectively. The output of planted, ratoon and combined crops were 91.41 MT, 75.20 MT and 83.30 MT for the sample as a whole, having corresponding values of Rs.28,335.64, Rs.23,312.12 and Rs.25,823.38 respectively. At Cost C2, benefit cost ratio was the highest in Class III showing values 1.37, 1.36 and 1.36 for planted, ratoon and combined crops respectively. Farm business income for planted, ratoon and combined crops were Rs.14,738.18, Rs.12,110.59 and Rs.13,424.38 for the sample as a whole. Farm investment income showed values Rs.13,822.27, Rs.11,295.51 and Rs.12,558.89, while family labour income was Rs.8,573.77 for planted, Rs.6,967.45 for ratoon and Rs.7,775.61 for the combined crop. The Cobb-Douglas production function fitted with returns (rupees) as dependent variable and expenditure on labour, seeds, manures and fertilizers, irrigation and plant protection chemicals as independent variables revealed the expenditure on manures, fertilizers and irrigation were inadequate for both the crops. At the same time expenditure on plant protection chemicals was found to be in excess. The major marketing channel identified was producer- factory in which 69.17 per cent of the farmers were involved. Of the total, 15.83 per cent of farmers produced gur by themselves and were involved in the producer wholesaler (as gur) – retailer-consumer channel. The marketing cost incurred accounted for 28.11 per cent while marketing margins accounted for 15.28 per cent. The analysis revealed that producers could obtain more profit when they produced gur by themselves than by selling sugarcane to gur producers or to the factory.
Supply behaviour of sesamum and groundnut in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Chandrabhanu, P; Thomas, E K
The present study focuses on the two principal seasonal oilseed crops of Kerala viz. sesamum and groundnut. Trends in area, production and productivity as well as the determinants of area and productivity of these two crops were analysed both at the district and state levels using time series data for the 1961-62 to 1987-88 period. Simple indices and three different functional forms viz. the linear, log-linear and the quadriatic were used to measure the trend for two sub periods viz. 1961-62 to 1974-75 and 1975-76 to 1987-88 as well as for the period as a whole. Decomposition analysis was carried out to partion out the relative contributions of area and productivity towards the changes in output. Variability was measured using the coefficient of variation.