Seed production in cowpea: An economic viability study

The present study is focused on the cowpea seed production in Palakkad district of Kerala. Registered seed farmers in VFPCK were selected for the study. Average cost of cultivation for cowpea seed production for Vellayani Jyothika variety was high. Cobb-Douglas production function revealed that the labor contributed significantly towards increase in yield. The quantity of plant protection chemicals indicated excess utilization. The factors affecting availability of quality seed were pests and diseases attack and costs of production of different cowpea varieties. High cost of input seed and high wages were the major constraints faced by the cowpea farmers.