Use of Neem-Coated Urea in Punjab-An Important Farm Input for Increasing Farmer's Income

The present study has analysed the trends in usage and prices of urea in Punjab, by studying the adoption behaviour of neem coated urea (NCU) among selected farmers, and finding the impact of adoption of NCU on crop productivity and farmers’ income. It has suggested suitable policy measures for adoption of NCU. The data were collected from randomly selected 200 farmers from four blocks of Ludhiana and Patiala districts where paddy is a major kharif crop which requires adequate doses of urea for its growth. The study has revealed that the consumption/sale of urea in Punjab during the year 2007–08 was 2646 thousand tonnes which rose to 3086 thousand tonnes during the period 2007–08 to 2015–16 at an annual growth rate of 1.64 per cent. The net returns per acre were estimated to be higher ( 31401) during the year 2015–16 than in 2014–15 ( 29530). There was an increase in productivity of paddy crop where neem-coated urea (NCU) was applied on the sample farms. The partial budgeting technique brought out that there were added returns of 718/acre by application of NCU on the sample farms. The major policy issue suggested was emphasis on ensuring good quality, adequate quantity and timely supply of NCU along with bringing its price at par with NU. Hence, neem-coated urea can play an important role in increasing farmer's income if used judiciously.