Economic enquiry into the impact of cement-kiln dust on agriculture based on perception of farmers

Abstract

An economic enquiry into the impact of cement-kiln dust on agriculture was carried out based on farmers perception during 1987-89. The objectives were to study the socio-economic situation in the polluted area and to arrive at the impact of cement-kiln dust on agriculture. Easterlies prevailing in November to March season determined the intensity and dispersal of cement kiln dust from the source of emission. Simple random sample of 105 cultivators with farms located at different distances from the plant upto 20 kms south west and 20 cultivators from the control zone were selected as informants. More than per cent of respondents in the first zone and 39 per cent in the control were- deriving their livelihood from farm sector alone. The maximum frequency class of holding size was between one and two hectares in the polluted zone (33.34 per cent) and less than one hectare in the control (47.84 per cent). The relatively illiquid assets (71.99 per cent of the total value was for agricultural assets in the polluted zone while it was 49 per cent in the control) possessed by farmers in the polluted area were also characterised by low value (109.78 (in Rs. ’000) in the first region and 175.70 in the control). As suggested also by liabilities largely comprising of overdues (68.70 per cent in the polluted zone and 49.75 per cent in the control), there was an over representation of economically weaker population in the polluted area.