Cost-returns analysis and marketing pattern of summer maize in Punjab

The study analyses the growth pattern, economics, marketable surplus, marketing pattern and price spread of summer maize in Punjab. Both primary and secondary data were used, collected from 120 farmers of different categories, from Hoshiarpur, Nawanshehar and Ropar districts of Punjab. Area under maize showed negative growth rate during all the decades but productivity depicts positive growth rate in all the decades except 1980’s. The highest return over variable cost of maize was calculated as Rs. 7272 per acre harvested by large farmer during 2010–11. Among different cost items, higher cost was occurred on seed, FYM, fertilizer and machinery. The yield of maize crop varied among different categories of farmers and coefficient of variation worked out 41.45 percent. However the large gap in yield level on different categories of farms needs to reduce using appropriate measures. The price response however, is important aspect of the impact (input and output) on the cropping pattern. The different categories of farmers (small, medium and large) contributed 14.72 percent, 31.90 percent and 53.37 percent respectively in the total marketable surplus. The findings of study revealed that marketing of maize was also not as assured as rice and wheat. MSP is announced every year but not implemented effectively. By analysing the marketing of maize it was found that as number of intermediaries increased, the cost and margin increased and the inverse has been the marketing efficiency. The efficiency can be improved by proper handling of crop after harvest through better storage and performing the functions suitably.