Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency of Bottle Gourd Production with low Tunnel Technology and Open Field in Bikaner District of Rajasthan

Abstract

Introduction: The arid western region of Rajasthan, characterized by the Thar Desert, is an important area for cultivating bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), a versatile vegetable from the Cucurbitaceous family. This crop thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and provides edible fruits that are rich in carbohydrates and calcium, along with medicinally valuable pulp and leaves. Methodology: The Bikaner district of Rajasthan was purposively selected for the present study. The methodology adopted for the study includes the sampling technique and analytical tools used, which are described in the following sections. (A) Sampling Technique: This study evaluates the resource use efficiency of bottle gourd production in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and comparing low tunnel technology with traditional open field methods. Total 60 farmers were selected for the study. Out of these 30 farmers were selected, those have low tunnel technology and 30 have traditional open field cultivation of bottle gourd. (B) Analytical Technique: The Cobb-Douglas production function was applied to calculate allocative efficiencies, with the MVP represented by the first differential of the dependent variable, which were the gross returns from bottle gourd cultivation. Findings: Results indicated that the regression coefficients for seed (0.353) and human labor (0.214) were significant at the 5 percent and 10 percent levels, respectively, showing a positive effect on yield. Although the coefficients for FYM (0.028) and plant protection (0.092) were positive, they were not significant. Conversely, machine labor (-0.728), chemical fertilizer (-0.202), and irrigation (-0.0028) had negative, non-significant coefficients. However, the coefficient for FYM (0.66) was significant at the 5 percent level, indicating a positive impact on yield. Conclusion: The study conclude that low tunnel technology was more efficient than open field cultivation, with a mean technical efficiency of 99 percent compared to 84 percent for open fields. Economic efficiency was also higher for low tunnel systems, with scores of 0.50 compared to 0.29 for open fields. Efficient resource allocation could potentially increase returns by 50 percent in low tunnel systems and by 35 percent in open field systems.