Department of Agricultural Economics, MPKV, Rahuri—413 722, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
The economics analysis of value-addition to paddy in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra has been reported by selecting rice flakes and puffed rice mills in the Bhandara, Lakhani and Sakoli tahsils of this district. The information was collected with the help of specially designed scheduled by personal interview method for the year 2001–02. Simple tabular method has been used for analysis. The capital investment has been found more (Rs 1,34,280) in rice flakes mill than puffed rice mill (Rs 70,037). In these investments cost on building was the major item, accounting for 70.29 per cent in rice flakes mill and 74.89 per cent in puffed rice mills. Quantity of paddy processed was 3434 quintals in rice flakes (providing 60.07 per cent rice flakes) and 482 quintals in puffed rice mills, providing 60.25 per cent puffed rice. The bi-products obtained were husk, bran, broken and partially prepared puffed rice and miscellaneous products. The total cost per quintal of rice flake mill and puffed rice mill has been found as Rs 825 and Rs 911, respectively. The net returns per quintal and cost-benefit ratio have been found as Rs 125.51 and 1.14 for rice flakes and 139.59 and 1.14, for puffed rice, respectively. It has also been observed that the B:C ratio increase with the increase in the size group. Value-addition per quintal in paddy processing for rice flakes was Rs 175.69 and it was 26.36 per cent over the cost of raw material. For puffed rice, it was Rs 192.89 and 28.74 per cent over cost of raw material. Value-addition was highest in the large rice mills for both the types of mills. Inconsistency in electricity supply has been reported as the major problem by the mill owners.
