Small Grower tea production-a comparative economic analysis of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
By: Manoj Kumar C.
Contributor(s): Anil Kuruvila (Guide).
Material type:
BookPublisher: Vellanikkara Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture 2023Description: 85p.Subject(s): Agricultural EconomicsDDC classification: 630.33 Online resources: Click here to access online Dissertation note: MSc Summary: Tea is the queen of beverages and a commodity of commercial significance. India
accounts for about 23 per cent of the area under tea in the world and contributes 21 per
cent of the global tea production. India's share in global tea exports in 2021 was 10.18
per cent. The Tea Board of India defines small tea growers as those having areas up to
10.12 hectares and without any processing facility. Small tea growers constitute an
integral part of the Indian tea industry. Out of the total tea produced by small tea
growers in India, Assam accounted for the highest share of about 49 per cent followed
by West Bengal (31%), Tamil Nadu (12%) and Kerala (6.42%) respectively. In this
context, a comparative economic analysis of the small grower tea production in
Tamil Nadu and Kerala was conducted with the specific objectives viz., to analyze the
economics and efficiency of small grower tea production; to study marketing of small
grower tea production and identify constraints faced by the small tea growers in Kerala
and Tamil Nadu.
The study was based on primary data collected from small tea growers. Sixty
farmers were randomly selected from each state based on multi-stage sampling method.
The Nilgiris district was purposively selected as it accounts for 80 per cent of the area
under tea cultivation in Tamil Nadu. Idukki and Wayanad districts were selected from
Kerala as these districts accounted for 70 per cent and 23 per cent share of the area
under tea cultivation in the state, thus making a total sample size of 120. Data was also
collected from 20 market intermediaries from each state including green leaf agents,
Self Help Groups, Primary Producer Societies, ‘Bought Leaf Factories’ and Farmer
Producer Organizations, thus making a total sample size of 40.
The establishment costs of small tea farms were estimated as ₹3,72,752 and
₹4,16,471 per hectare for Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. In Tamil Nadu and
Kerala, the weighted average maintenance cost for tea was estimated as ₹86,782
and
₹90,439 per hectare respectively. The total cost of cultivation for tea was worked out
as ₹1,32,134 and ₹1,40,652 per hectare per year for Tamil Nadu and Kerala
respectively. The cost of production of tea leaves was worked out as ₹13.49
and
₹13.92 per kg, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu respectively. The efficiency of tea
cultivation was analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas production function. In Tamil
ii
Nadu, variables such as quantity of fertilizers and age of the plants were found to be
decreasing the yield.
| Item type | Current location | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theses
|
KAU Central Library, Thrissur Theses | Reference Book | 630.33 MAN/SM PG (Browse shelf) | Not For Loan | 175698 |
MSc
Tea is the queen of beverages and a commodity of commercial significance. India
accounts for about 23 per cent of the area under tea in the world and contributes 21 per
cent of the global tea production. India's share in global tea exports in 2021 was 10.18
per cent. The Tea Board of India defines small tea growers as those having areas up to
10.12 hectares and without any processing facility. Small tea growers constitute an
integral part of the Indian tea industry. Out of the total tea produced by small tea
growers in India, Assam accounted for the highest share of about 49 per cent followed
by West Bengal (31%), Tamil Nadu (12%) and Kerala (6.42%) respectively. In this
context, a comparative economic analysis of the small grower tea production in
Tamil Nadu and Kerala was conducted with the specific objectives viz., to analyze the
economics and efficiency of small grower tea production; to study marketing of small
grower tea production and identify constraints faced by the small tea growers in Kerala
and Tamil Nadu.
The study was based on primary data collected from small tea growers. Sixty
farmers were randomly selected from each state based on multi-stage sampling method.
The Nilgiris district was purposively selected as it accounts for 80 per cent of the area
under tea cultivation in Tamil Nadu. Idukki and Wayanad districts were selected from
Kerala as these districts accounted for 70 per cent and 23 per cent share of the area
under tea cultivation in the state, thus making a total sample size of 120. Data was also
collected from 20 market intermediaries from each state including green leaf agents,
Self Help Groups, Primary Producer Societies, ‘Bought Leaf Factories’ and Farmer
Producer Organizations, thus making a total sample size of 40.
The establishment costs of small tea farms were estimated as ₹3,72,752 and
₹4,16,471 per hectare for Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. In Tamil Nadu and
Kerala, the weighted average maintenance cost for tea was estimated as ₹86,782
and
₹90,439 per hectare respectively. The total cost of cultivation for tea was worked out
as ₹1,32,134 and ₹1,40,652 per hectare per year for Tamil Nadu and Kerala
respectively. The cost of production of tea leaves was worked out as ₹13.49
and
₹13.92 per kg, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu respectively. The efficiency of tea
cultivation was analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas production function. In Tamil
ii
Nadu, variables such as quantity of fertilizers and age of the plants were found to be
decreasing the yield.
There are no comments for this item.