Socio-economic study of farmers in Irinjalakuda block in the command area of Peechi irrigation project

Abstract

The study was undertaken with the following objectives, viz., to study the methods and practices followed for cultivation, the general, social and economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area, cost and income structure of the farm business, the resource use; and the savings, investment, assets and debts pattern. One hundred farm families were selected by two stage random sampling, from whom the relevant data were collected using a well structured schedule. The methods and practices followed for cultivation of different crops were found to be more or less the same in different parts of the block. Generally, two crops of paddy (Mundakan and Puncha), coconut, arecanut and banana were the major crops grown. Dependence on hired labour was high in the area. Tractor power was substituted for bullock power to a limited extent. Dependence of family labour was more in smaller size groups. The utilization of fertilizers was below the recommended levels. The per hectare use was found to decrease with increase in the size of the holdings and increase with increase in income. The cost of cultivation for Mundakan season was found to be lower than that of Puncha, mainly due to differences in cultivation operations. Eventhough yield was slightly higher, the cost per quintal was also higher during Puncha than Mundakan. Thus the study showed that Mundakan paddy was more profitable than Puncha due to lower cost of cultivation. Eventhough cost of cultivation was found to decrease with increase in size of holding no clearcut association was found between family income and cost of cultivation. Though the cultivation of coconut and banana resulted in high net returns they involved heavy investment also. Arecanut cultivation in the area was found to be in a declining stage. Expenditure on food did not show much difference among different holding size groups and income groups except in the highest income group and largest holding size group. Expenditure on costly food items like, fish, meat and milk showed a positive relationship with the size of holding and gross income of the families. Only the farmers in the higher income groups were able to meet the household expenditure from the net income obtained from crop production and livestock. The infrastructural facilities in the area were found to be satisfactory. There were sufficient credit, communication and marketing facilities in the area. But in some parts of the block, transport facilities are yet to be developed.