Cost of cultivation and constraints analysis of soybean production in Khagaria district of Bihar state: An exploratory study

India is the 5^th largest oilseed producing country in the world after USA, Brazil, Argentina and China with 2.74 per cent of world production. Among different oilseeds crops grown in India, soybean is the one of the most important cultivated in 12.19 ha (DES: 2019–20). Multistage Sampling Technique was used to collect the samples from study area using Snow Ball Sampling process. The data were analyzed using standard statistical and economic analytical tools and constraints faced by sample farmers in cultivation of soybean were analysed using Garrett’s Ranking Technique. The average cost of cultivation of soybean was estimated as 29929 per ha. The average total return received from soybean was estimated as 39842 per farm and 45113 per ha. The return to cost ratio was 1.51 on overall basis. The constraints affecting soybean cultivation were broadly classified into agro-ecological, technological, economic. Rainfall was the most limiting factor in soybean production among agro-ecological constraints (Garrett Score 70.54) whereas suitable variety-the most limiting factor (Garrett Score 65.25) among technological constraints. Economic constraints included the subsidy on inputs was the major limiting constraints with Garrett Score of 68.37. It was concluded from the study that for strengthening of soybean production marketing system needs to be supported to ensure remunerative price and better profitability to the farmers. There is also need for availability of suitable variety and training to the farmers in adoption of appropriate agro-techniques in production of the crop to increase the production efficiency.