An Economic Analysis of Rainfed Paddy: A Study in Shivamogga District of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Rice is the most important human food crop in the world, directly feeding more people than any other crop. Tunga Bhadra Project (TBP) command area is called as Rice bowl of Karnataka. The study was conducted in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, India during 2020-21 mainly for economic analysis of the cost and returns of rainfed paddy. A purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of the study area, Two taluks (Shikaripura and Soraba) of Shivamogga district were selected and from each taluk, two villages (Chikkajambur, Herejumbur, Andige and Ulavi) were selected and from each village 15 farmers were selected who were rainfed paddy growers. Thus the total sample constitutes 60 respondents. The analytical tools and techniques employed for assessing the objectives of the study are measures of central tendency and standard of cost and returns. The total cost of rainfed paddy cultivation was Rs. 26,330.65 fixed costs accounted for 19.02 per cent (Rs. 5,007.20) of the total cost and overall variable cost accounted for 79.92 per cent (Rs. 21,043.45) of the total cost of cultivation. Grain yields realized 15.23 quintals per acre and gross returns comprised of returns from both main-product (grain) and by-product returns (straw) is Rs. 34,689.78. Rainfed paddy gave a net return of Rs. 8,359.13 and returns over variable cost were Rs. 13,367.33. Returns per rupee of expenditure were 1.32. The study recommended that rainfed paddy cultivation required less cost cultivation which helps the farmer to earn a better income.