Is soil test based plant micro-nutrient application is profitable in pulse production? A micro-evaluation study of Bhoochetana Scheme

In this study, the cost and returns, resource use efficiency and functional analysis of red-gram production among the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Bhoochetana scheme have been reported. The study has been conducted in the Kalaburagi District of Karnataka State which economically backward, majorly comes under dry-land and red-gram is predominant crop. The study found that cost of cultivation of red-gram among beneficiaries was marginally higher than non- beneficiaries. But, beneficiaries harvested additional red-gram so their returns were also higher. Resource use efficiency was also higher among the beneficiaries and positive significant effect of the scheme on the production of red-gram is reported. Schemes, like this are highly beneficial for the dry-land farmers when they are implemented and monitored efficiently.