Assessment of Resources Use Efficiency and Challenges of Rapeseed-Mustard Crop in Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

In the present paper, an attempt has been made to examine Rapeseed-Mustard cropcultivation in different categories of farmers in Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh. Primary data was collected through personal interview by pre-structured and pre-tested schedule; the data was collected for the agricultural year 2022-23. A sample size of 100 farmers, marginal (48) Small (31) Medium (21) were interviewed form 5 village of Baharia block in prayagraj district select the farmers by using the proportionate allocation method. This study evaluates the resource use efficiency in rapeseed-mustard cultivation across different farm sizes, focusing on marginal, small, and medium farms. The analysis reveals that marginal farms exhibit the highest production elasticity for inputs X1, X2, and X5, indicating significant responsiveness in production with the increase of these inputs. Small farms show the highest elasticity for X3, while medium farms generally demonstrate lower production elasticity across all input variables. The sum of elasticity/return to scale is greatest in marginal farms, suggesting higher operational efficiency, followed by small and then medium farms. The R² values suggest the regression models explain 79%, 83%, and 85% of production variability for marginal, small, and medium farms, respectively, indicating the best model fit for medium farms. Marginal Value Productivity (MVP) data shows that investment in all inputs can yield higher returns, with notable variances across farm sizes. Key constraints to rapeseed-mustard production include high input costs, fertilizer shortages, and labor availability. Recommendations include education on pesticide use, cost reduction strategies, organic waste recycling for compost, and establishing community credit systems. Implementing these measures could enhance production efficiency and increase rapeseed-mustard yields.