Economic analysis of production and marketing of organic vegetables in Wayanad district

Abstract

The research entitled "Economic analysis of production and marketing of organic vegetables in Wayanad district'' was conducted in Sultan Bathery block of Wayanad district. The research was undertaken with the objective to study the economics of organic vegetable production, consumer preference and marketing of organic vegetables in Wayanad district. Cost of cultivation was worked out using A B C cost concepts. The crops selected for study were yard long bean and bitter gourd. The cost of production of both crops was worked out. Resource use efficiency was carried out using Cobb- Douglas production function. For organic yard long bean, cost A was Rs 1,50,277 ha-1. Cost B1, B2, C1, C2 and C3 were Rs 1,82,078 ha-1, Rs 4,68,975 ha-1, Rs 2,50,413 ha-1, Rs 5,37,311 ha-1 and Rs 5,91,042 ha-1. For conventional yard long bean crop, cost A was Rs 1, 46,277 ha-1. Cost B1, B2, C1, C2 and C3 were Rs 1,63,255 ha-1, Rs 3,75,334 ha-1, Rs 2,16,556 ha-1, Rs 4,28,635 ha-1and Rs 4,71,498 ha-1. For organic bitter gourd, cost A was Rs 1,59,077 ha-1. Cost B1, B2, C1, C2, and C3 were Rs 2,03,570 ha-1, Rs 6,07,172 ha-1, Rs 3,10,403 ha-1, Rs 7,14,004 ha-1 and Rs 7,85,405 ha-1 respectively. For conventional bitter gourd crop, cost A was Rs. 2,04,964 ha-1. Cost B1, B2, C1, C2 and C3 were Rs 2,43,709 ha-1, Rs. 7,27,684 ha-1, Rs. 3,87,940 ha-1, Rs. 8,71,914 ha-1 and Rs 9,59,106ha-1 respectively. The B-C ratio of organic yard long bean and bitter gourd were 2.02 and 1.15, for conventional yard long bean and bitter gourd it was 1.68 and 0.95. Consumer preference towards organic vegetables was studied by carrying an opinion survey. Seventy three per cent of the consumers prefer organic vegetables due to health oriented motives. Six major marketing channels used by the farmers for marketing of their produce were identified. Recently, organic farmers were using fair trade centres as a new channel for the marketing their produce. Organic farming can be practised in the future with the government support of creating special market for organic producers with a premium price which helps in promoting organic farming.