Comparative Economic Analysis and Profitability of Tomato ((Lycopersicon esculentum) Production in Selected Districts of Punjab State

Abstract

The study was conducted to analyse the comparative economic analysis and profitability of tomato production in selected districts of Punjab state. A primary data was collected in the year 2019-20 by using multistage stratified random sampling technique. Two top ranking districts namely Amritsar and Patiala on the basis of highest area under tomato crop were purposively selected in the Punjab state. A sample of 200 tomato growers were selected, 100 each from both the districts from 21 producing villages selected from Patiala and Amritsar district of Punjab state. The results of the study indicated that the average area under tomato crop was highest in case of Amritsar district i.e. 10.90 acres as compared to 2.98 acres in Patiala district. Majority of the farmers in both the districts were using hybrid varities. 575 variety is basically demanded by the factories or tomato companies and mostly preferred by processing firms. The total variable cost was estimated highest in case of Patiala district (Rs.59262.63/acre) as compared to Amritsar district (Rs.47779.15/acre) due to the difference in their cultivation methods (Bamboo staking vs open field cultivation), varietal difference, nursery preparation methods, seasonal and geographical difference. The returns over variable cost was found higher in case of Patiala district i.e. Rs. 85142.42 than Amritsar district (Rs.61882.74). The study concluded that the tomato cultivation in Patiala district was found more profitable than Amritsar district. It was recommended that the primary agricultural credit cooperative societies and other funding agencies should be persuaded to provide adequate short term credit facilities to cover the higher operational cost. Government should ensure the supply of hybrid seeds to tomato growers at subsidized rates and ensure better minimum support price to tomato growers so that farmers received price at least cost equal to the cost of production.