Comparative Economics of Traditional viz High Density Mango Cultivation in Karnataka

Abstract

This study has examined (i) the growth in area, production and productivity of mango (ii) assess cost and return structure of Mango Cultivation, (iii) the financial feasibility of mango cultivation under traditional viz high-density planting orchard in Dharwad district. Using multistage random sampling technique (30) traditional and (30) High density plant orchard, with a total of 60 respondents were selected from two villages in Dharwad. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and financial feasibility method. The study has indicated that, the annual maintenance cost of traditional mango (.21,783/Ac) was lower compared to HDP (.48,132/Ac). Mango is harvested in a single season in a year. In high-density orchard, the average yield obtained was more (7.86 t/Ac) than in traditional orchard (3.50 t/Ac). However, the sale price was .25,986, .25,995 in both high-density and traditional orchard respectively. Feasibility analysis revealed that, the NPV @ 12 percent discount rate were positive with .1,16,032.25 and  .4,34,686.29 in traditional and HDP. Similarly B: C ratios were 1.49 and 2.00 in traditional and HDP respectively. Pay Back Period was found to be higher in traditional i.e. 5.90 years whereas in high-density orchard it was 5.54 years. The internal rate of returns was calculated to be 18.20 percent & 26.00 percent in traditional & high-density planting. Therefore, investment in Mango was financially feasible in both the type of cultivation. In the other hand, processing units are not available locally which is one of the back drop under value addition sector, hence government should plan for establishing new processing units and involve in training the farmers in processing of mango (pickle, juice, pulp extract etc.), so that wastage of mango fruits can be reduced and value addition can serve as an alternative employment opportunity and also arrange for proper marketing set up in the region to safeguard the interest of mango growers.