Economics of production and marketing of G.1. tagged Kodungallur snap melon

Abstract

Snap melon (Cucumis melo var. momordica), locally known as Kodungallur pottuvellari, was a traditional variety grown in Kodungallur and nearby areas of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts of Kerala. Owing to its unique quality attributes linked to the region’s agro-climatic conditions, it received G.I. status in 2022. Mature fruits were used to prepare a refreshing summer juice. Despite its nutritional and economic importance, systematic economic studies on snap melon remained limited; hence, the present study was undertaken to fill this gap. The objectives were to examine the economics of cultivation, analyse marketing efficiency, and identify production and marketing constraints. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted, and the survey was conducted in the G.I. certified cultivation area during 2024-25. A total of 122 farmers and 10 market intermediaries were selected, making the total sample size 132. The cost of cultivation was estimated using CACP cost concepts, resource use efficiency was analysed through the Cobb–Douglas production function, marketing efficiency was measured by Acharya and Agarwal’s method, and constraints were analysed using Garrett’s ranking technique. Socio-economic analysis showed that the majority of farmers were middle-aged and predominantly male. Most of the farmers had an education of SSLC or above. Among the sample farmers, 76.23 per cent were marginal farmers, 77.87 per cent had medium-sized families, and 58.82 per cent depended primarily on farming. A large share of farmers had farming experience and experience in snap melon cultivation for more than 20 years. Cultivation practices were categorised into monocropping and intercropping, organic and INM, and drip and conventional irrigation. Across all categories evaluated, intercropping recorded the highest cost of cultivation (Cost C3) at ₹1,70,641/ha. However, drip irrigation registered the highest gross returns (₹3,21,846/ha), the highest net returns (₹1,57,801/ha), the highest yield (12.13 t/ha), and the lowest cost of production (₹13.52/kg). Economic efficiency was highest under organic farming, with the highest B:C ratio (1.97), closely followed by drip irrigation (1.96) and monocropping (1.95), showing that these practices yielded better returns per rupee spent. The highest difference in net returns, amounting to ₹70,714, was observed

between monocropping and intercropping, suggesting that the cropping pattern created the greatest income disparity between alternative practices. Notably, the better- performing practices like organic farming, drip irrigation, and monocropping were also the most widely adopted practices by farmers in the study area, indicating that farmers were already practicing economically profitable methods. The Average cost of cultivation for the overall sample size showed that the total cost of cultivation (Cost C3) was ₹1,66,713 per ha. Hired human labour and family labour shared the major share in cost, highlighting the labour-intensive nature of the snap melon. Farm business income was ₹2,22,775 per ha, and family labour income was ₹2,15,013 per ha. The net returns amounted to ₹1,78,814 per ha, and the B: C ratio of 2.07 confirmed the economic viability of snap melon cultivation in the study area. Resource use efficiency analysis showed that seed rate, hired labour, plant nutrients, and family labour negatively influenced yield, with seed rate being the most statistically significant and overused input. Machine labour and irrigation had positive but insignificant effects, and decreasing returns to scale (–0.86) indicated inefficient resource use. In drip irrigation, seed rate was overused, and machine labour was underused, with decreasing returns to scale of –0.70. Under conventional irrigation, seed rate, hired labour, and family labour were statistically significant but negatively affected yield, with stronger decreasing returns to scale (–1.06), highlighting greater inefficiency. Optimizing seed and labour use and increasing mechanization, particularly under drip irrigation, could improve efficiency and profitability. Six channels were identified for the fruit marketing of snap melon. Channel I (direct producer–consumer) recorded the highest marketing efficiency (6.81), lowest marketing cost and price spread, and highest producer’s share (87.19%), though it was adopted by fewer farmers due to perishability and storage constraints. Channel II was the most widely used channel (35.25%), with an efficiency of 1.11 and a producer’s share of 52.64 per cent, and emerged as the second-best channel. For juice marketing, five channels were identified. Channel I (direct farmer marketing) recorded the highest producer’s share (66.29%), highest marketing efficiency (1.97), and lowest marketing cost (₹29.50), making it the most efficient, followed by Channel II, which showed moderate efficiency (0.52) and a producer’s share of 34.32 per cent despite the highest

total cost. Channels III to V, involving wholesalers and contractors, recorded lower efficiency, higher costs, and greater price spreads. Major production constraints included untimely rainfall, followed by high labour costs, labour shortages during peak periods, high input costs, small landholdings, field-level fruit losses, and poor soil fertility. Marketing constraints were dominated by price fluctuations, distress sales due to low shelf life, transportation difficulties, low demand during seasonal oversupply, and intermediary control over pricing. Based on the results, the following policy interventions are suggested: developing a scientific package of practices, standardizing harvest maturity indices, implementing crop insurance, establishing storage and processing facilities, promoting FPO-based collective marketing, and supporting participation in G.I. exhibitions and trade fairs to improve market access, returns, and profitability, thereby enhancing the economic welfare of snap melon farmers.