Comparative Studies on The Cultivation of Kouna and Paddy Plant: An Emperical Investigation on Cost of Cultivation and Production

Kouna is a local name used for making of mats and other artistic items and for medicinal herb. Schoenoplectus Lacustries (Linn) Pala is the Botanical name and Cyperacia is the family of the plant. Paddy is worldwide well-known plant and staple food in India. The primary purpose of the study is to examine and explain the difference of the cost of expenditure in cultivation and outcomes between kouna and paddy plant. For this purpose, qualitative and quantitative approach is applied. The present study is based on fully the primary sources of data to carry out with intensive fieldwork and interaction with peasants of the study area. A stratified random sampling was undertook 100 houses from four leading areas of Kouna and paddy plant growing villages in Thoubal districts of, Imphal west, Bishnupur and Imphal East, Manipur. Kouna is a sustainable plant, once planted it can be produces more than 30–35 years, if properly managed; requires less investment and labour besides less fertilizer. On the other hand, the longevity of paddy plant is one year and requires regular fertilizers, expensive labours and it is seasonal crop, Rabbi and kharif. Annual cost and outcome of kouna is more profitable than paddy plant.