Adoption, impact and cost effectiveness of cotton production technology for sustainable development in Maharashtra

The present study has assessed the adoption, impact, cost effectiveness of cotton production technology in Maharashtra for 2013–14. The costs and returns data collected from a random sample of 288 farmers pertaining to three regions of Maharashtra. Results show that per hectare cost ‘C’ was Rs 52,618 and B:C ratio is 1.04, whereas the per quintal cost production was Rs 4205.64 at the overall level for improved cotton cultivation methods. Further, there was a 28.63% yield gap. The composite index of technology adoption was worked out to be 51.%, which indicated that the sample farmers adopted less than 48% of the recommended package of technology and obtained 12.31q/ha yield. Among the different components on impact of cotton production technology in the state, the contribution of net returns was maximum (19.10%) followed by that of main produce and gross returns. The most important constraint in improved method of cotton cultivation has been identified as ‘high cost of seed, fertilizers and labour charges, lack of knowledge about fertilizers application, seed treatment, small fragmented holdings and low price of produce. The improved cotton production technology method being more skill-oriented, the study has observed that yield levels can be increased by emphasizing on better adoption and impact can be made sustainable if constraints are addressed on war-footing basis.