Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENVIRONMENTAL EXTRERNALITIES IN REDGRAM PRODUCTION AT KHARGONE DISTRICT OF MADHYA PRADESH

Santosh Patidar, Shailendra Sharma, S. Purohit and Rahul Singh

Abstract

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] is an important legume crop in India. India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pigeonpea in the world. Madhya Pradesh stands third in rank in pigeonpea production in India. Malwa and Nimar regions are main pigeonpea growing areas in Madhya Pradesh and a large part of the economy of these regions revolved around pigeonpea based economy. The study attempted to analyse the economics of the production of pigeonpea on the farmer’s field in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh which has been selected for the purpose of this study. Multi stage sampling techniques were used for drawing a sample for the present study. The results shows that the large farmers incurred highest cost (C3) per hectare due to lower scale of production. Cost per hectare is higher in large farms in comparison to medium farms was due to dependence on hired labour. The large farms also fetch higher return per hectare (Rs. 34620/ha), but net returns were higher on medium farms (Rs.4458/ha). The benefit cost ratio was higher on medium size group (1.16). Net return and B:C ratio was found to be highest among medium size farms. Although, small farmers get more returns per hectare, their profitability can be further enhanced by reducing costs on bullock labour, manure and fertilizer, plant protection and other charges.