Economic Analysis of Production and Processing of Cluster Bean in Southern Haryana: A Review

Abstract

The present study was carried out with the objectives to work out costs and returns in cultivation of cluster bean, to study the economics of cluster bean processing units and to identify various constraints faced by farmers and processers in production and processing of cluster bean in Southern Haryana. The   study was based on primary data. A total of 80 farmers were interviewed to gather all the desired information. The per hectare cost of cluster bean cultivation was found to be ₹40241 and ₹44553 in Bhiwani and Mahendargarh district, respectively. On an average, the per hectare gross and net returns obtained from the cultivation of cluster bean in Bhiwani district were ₹49002 and ₹8758. The corresponding figures for Mahendargarh district were worked out to be ₹52732 and ₹8178, respectively. The B:C ratio for cluster bean cultivation was worked out to be 1.21 for Bhiwani & 1.18 for Mahendargarh district. On an average total cost of processing guar into guar gum was worked out to be ₹6408.78 per quintal of output. Cluster bean processing plants incurred a profit of ₹204 per quintal on average basis during the year 2020-21 with gross and net returns of ₹6484.42 lakh and ₹200.35 lakh, respectively. The B:C ratio was worked out to be 1.03 for processing units of cluster bean in Southern Haryana. The results of a survey conducted to learn about the problems faced by farmers in the production and by processors in the processing of cluster bean revealed that weeds, high labor costs, high plant protection chemical costs, disease, aphids in the crop, scarcity of labor, and a lack of quality seeds and improved varieties were the major constraints faced by farmers in the production of cluster bean in the study area. Huge fuel costs, huge losses during transportation from field to factory Power shortages, under-utilization of existing capacity, excessive sales taxes, and a lack of government price policies were the major obstacles that processors faced in the processing of cluster bean seeds in the study area.