Socio-economic status and profitability of farmers adopting rice - mustard cropping system: A case study of Odisha

Agriculture in Odisha is the mainstay of majority of the populace and thus, holds the key to socio-economic development of the State. Although, the share of Agriculture Sector in the State’s GSDP has been declining over the years but, still it plays a critical role in the economy of the state and livelihood of majority of its populace. Agriculture in the state to a considerable extent means growing rice. Present study was conducted to study the socio - economic status of farmers adopting rice-mustard cropping system. Further, their profitability was also estimated by using CACP costs concepts. Balasore district, known as Rice Bowl of Odisha, was selected purposively for the study.Primary data was collected from 60 farmers by using pre tested survey schedule for the period 2015-16. The study found 42.33 percent male falls under 18-35 year age group whereas, 49.50 percent female fall under 35-50 year age group. The study further revealed that 61.67 percent farm families were depended on agriculture and allied sector.The results further revealed thatB-C ratio for mustard was more than rice as an individual enterprise but rice is the staple food of the sample area hence, the rice mustard cropping system was very popular in the study area. Further, the B-C ratio for rice-mustard cropping system over all the costs were estimated and found to be more than one which shows the feasibility of rice-mustard cropping system over the study area. The study suggested that policy makers and extension workers should take steps to encourage farmers to adopt rice-mustard cropping system in order to achieve maximum possible profit from their farming.