A Study on Resource-use Efficiency of Agricultural Inputs of Pulses in Maharashtra

This paper has analysed resource-use efficiency of agricultural inputs for pulses and has identified the factors contributing to yield levels of selected pulses in Maharashtra. The study is based on the primary data collected during the year 2013–14 from 600 farm families (201 gram, 168 arhar, 92 moung and 33 udid) selected under the ‘Comprehensive Scheme for Studying the Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops’ from western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of the state. The study has revealed that the proportions of total variations were 78 per cent, 76 per cent, 74 per cent and 72 per cent in arhar, gram, moong and udid crops, respectively. The marginal value of product (MVP) indicated that the behaviour of arhar, gram and udid cultivators in using key inputs in the production was quite satisfactory vis-à-vis of the moong cultivators in Maharashtra. The study has revealed that resource-use efficiency and productivity levels are likely to be significantly improved with expansion of non-farm sectors, forming of farmers associations and participation in agriculture innovating programs. In view of this, India has to develop and adopt more efficient crop production technologies along with favorable policies to encourage farmers to bring more area under pulses.