An Economic Analysis of Pulses Production in Haryana

The study revealed that the total cost of cultivation was lowest on large farms (13356.85) and followed by small (13525) and medium farms (13533.54). Less cost of cultivation on large farms may be due to efficient use of available resources, that is, machine power, manures, fertilizers, plant protection etc. by large farmers as compared to medium and small category farmers. The productivity of moong was highest on small farms (3.47q/acre), which was followed by medium (3.41 q/acre) and large farms (3.34 q/acre). The reason for a little higher productivity on the small farm was observed due to better care and management of crop on account of the small area under it. The net returns per acre were highest on large farms (1944.47) followed by medium (1924.41) and small farms (1815). Whereas in case of Chickpea, cost of cultivation per acre of small, medium, large and overall farms were 13921, 13533.90, 13163.33 and 13700.25 respectively. The total cost of cultivation was lowest on large farms and followed by the small and medium farm. Gross returns from chickpea for of small, medium and large were worked out to 15969, 15782.6 and 15404.31 per acre respectively. Among different categories of farmers, large farmers showed highest net returns per acre (2241) followed by medium (2249)and small categories (2048) respectively. Overall net returns on respondent farms were 2131 per acre. Small and medium-size farmers got lower net returns as compared to large farmers. It is due to high retention capacity of large farmers while other categories, that is, small and medium farmers are having a higher proportion of distress sale which leads to decreased bargaining power as well as the lower price received. The area of pulses showing declining trend over the years in the state and pulses are very important food for human and feed for live stocks, therefore, the government should ensure remunerative prices and procurement of pulses so that area and production of pulses could increase to meet-out domestic demand of pulses in the state.