Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency and Constraints of Cotton Production in Odisha, India

Abstract

The present study entitled "Analysis of resource use efficiency and constraints of cotton production in Odisha" was undertaken with the major objectives to analyse resource use efficiency in cotton cultivation and to elicit the constraints faced by the farmers in production and marketing of cotton in the study area. This study used both secondary and primary data. Multi-stage random sampling was taken for this study. The districts selected for study were Kalahandi, Balangir and Rayagada of Odisha state. A total number of 120 cotton farmers i.e 71 farmers from small and 49 farmers from large size groups were selected at random based on probability proportion. Analytical tools like Tabular analysis, Cobb-Douglas production function and Garrett’s ranking were used for the analysis. Cobb-Douglas production function was used taking Y i.e. yield of cotton as dependent variable and X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 i. e. for total human labour, farm power cost, manure cost, fertilizer cost, cost of pesticides, area under the crop respectively as independent variable. Among these variables, fertilizer, pesticide, human labour and machine labour were positive and significant for small farmers and manure, fertilizer, pesticide and machine labour were positive and significant for large farmers. Most of the significant resources were proved to be efficient. The major constraints in cotton yield as reported by farmers were high cost of labour, high cost of seeds, lack of regulated markets etc. in the study area. For the sustainable growth of cotton crop in the state, timely policy interventions were required by promoting contract farming and providing price incentives, so that cotton farmers of Odisha will get better profit for their crop and prosperity of agriculture in the state.