Economic Assessment of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) Cultivation in Jaipur District of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Investigation was carried out in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. Multistage sampling design was adopted in selection of district, tehsils, villages and farmers to estimate cost and returns of Ber production. Overall, 100 farmers were selected for the study. The total cost in the first year was Rs. 24,386.69, with the rental value of land being the highest component at Rs. 10,200. Other notable expenses included fertilizers (Rs. 2,634.93), digging, filling pits, and planting (Rs. 2,340.00), land preparation (Rs. 2,400), and inter-culturing (Rs. 1,012.00). Additional costs were plant protection (Rs. 1,376.19), irrigation (Rs. 908.70), and bud operations (Rs. 387.23). Financial expenses included interest on working and fixed capital and depreciation. In the second year, the costs were relatively lower at Rs. 17,889.29. The major cost continued to be the rental value of land (Rs. 10,200), followed by fertilizer application (Rs. 3,435.79), irrigation (Rs. 1,007.32), inter-culturing (Rs. 798.00), and training and pruning (Rs. 270.00). The financial expenses remained consistent with the first year. the gross return from ber cultivation per hectare was Rs. 60,260.25, while the net return was Rs. 27,268.80. The farm business income stood at Rs. 42,640.44, and family labour income was Rs. 27,759.21. The output-input ratio was 1.82, indicating a profitable venture. The cost of production per quintal was Rs. 412.39, reflecting a favorable cost-to-return balance. Overall, ber cultivation proves economically viable, with significant returns despite initial high establishment costs.