Comparative Economics of Cultivation and Differences in Input Use between Direct Seeded Rice and Transplanted Rice

This farm level study conducted in the U.S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand state has worked out comparative economics of cultivation and observed difference in input use between the Direct seeded rice and transplanting method of rice cultivation. The per hectare cost of rice cultivation was Rs.15276.59 in case of transplanted method and it was Rs. 14138.54 per hectare in case of direct seeded rice. The sowing/transplanting, irrigation charges, intercultural operations, spray of herbicides, plant protection, other expenditures and material were significantly different in per hectare total costs of production under the two methods of rice cultivation. In case of direct seeded rice, the cost heads where relatively more cost was incurred were intercultural operation (140.11 per cent), material cost (31.53 per cent) and manure & fertilizer application (13.17 per cent). The material cost shown 31.53 per cent increase over transplanted rice cultivation. The overall cost of cultivation in direct seeded method of rice cultivation revealed 7.45 per cent decline over transplanted method of rice cultivation. Finally, the return over cultivation cost was lower by 40.29 in case of direct seeded rice cultivation as compared to transplanted rice cultivation. The significant reduction in average input use on per hectare basis was observed in direct seeded rice over transplanted rice in some of the inputs.