Agro-input management for economic performance of wetland rice cultivation

A study was undertaken during the cropping season of 2010–11 in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya to evaluate the agro-input management for economic performance of wetland rice cultivation. Data for the study were collected from 120 wetland rice farmers through simple random sampling procedure from six different Community Development Blocks. The study revealed that the agriculture particularly wetland rice cultivation was considered as the primary and secondary occupation of the sample population in the study area. Cultivation of wetland rice was relatively more important for lower size groups of farmers, while plantation and fishery was relatively more important in higher size groups of farmers, in the sample population in the study area. The results showed that the highest overall share of utilization of agro-inputs was accounted for by human labour (40.61%) followed by tractor/power tiller (24.29%). Other agro-inputs like seeds, FYM/vermicompost, fertilizers and bullock labour accounted for 6.12, 4.12, 4.29 and 2.11% of total expenditure, respectively. The total variable cost in cultivation of wetland rice accounted for Rs. 13,793.57, 19, 882.16, 17, 545.17 and Rs. 17,073.63/ha resulting in a total per hectare return of Rs. 24,289.13, Rs. 24, 497.27, Rs. 33,366.67 and Rs. 29,051.02 with benefit: cost ratio of 1.76, 1.48, 1.90 and 1.70 in various size groups of I, II, III and overall, respectively. Hence, the proper management of agro-inputs like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation and marketing might lead to economic viability of wetland rice cultivation.