International Research Journal of Agricultural Economics and Statistics

Deepa B. Hiremath ¹, R. L. Shiyani ², Alok Shrivastava ³

Affiliations
1 College of Agriculture (N.A.U.), Bharuch (Gujarat), IN
2 Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, (N.A.U.) Bharuch (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

Climate change is likely to intensify the variability of summer monsoon dynamics and its impact on the productivity of crops is inevitable. In order to study the impact of climate change on the productivity of selected crops of Gujarat, an econometric bio-model of crop production was attempted. Cobb Douglas production function was fitted as it gave the best fit according the statistical criteria of high co-efficient of multiple determination (R²) and low standard error. Seven climatic and socio-economic variables affecting crop yields were selected. The district wise results revealed that there was no consistency in the nature of impact (positive or negative) of the selected climatic and socio-economic variables on the crop yields in different districts due to vast diversity in the agro-climatic conditions and uncertainty in the timing of rainfall i.e., the stage at which the rainfall might have occurred. However, since the majority of the results were found to be significant there is a need to focus on investments in adaptation research capacity: particularly, in the development of climate proof crops (drought resistant and heat tolerant varieties) as well as redeploying the existing improved crop varieties that can cope with wide range of climatic conditions.

Keywords

Cobb Douglas Production Function, Climate Change, Adaptation, Crop Productivity.

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P. M. Thanki ¹, Deepa B. Hiremath ², Alok Shrivastava ³, R. D. Dhandhukia ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat), IN
2 Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture (N.A.U.), Bharuch (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, (N.A.U.) Bharuch (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

Gujarat has a vast contribution to the Indian horticulture sector. It contributes nearly five per cent of the total vegetable production in India. The state also enjoys leading position at all-India level in the productivity levels of major vegetables like onion, potato, tomato, brinjal etc. Bharuch district is situated on the Bank of Narmada river, the lifeline of Gujarat and is well known for its well developed Industrial areas. Arabian Sea braces its west side. The geology of the district with vast area affected by inherent/coastal salinity, presents a complex hydrogeological pattern, consequently leading to vast variation in the quality and quantity of vegetables produced. The return from vegetable cultivation is also volatile due to its highly perishable nature and instable prices. Thus, due to dearth of literature about the economics of production, marketing and associated constraints for Gujarat state, a study was conducted to work out the cost of cultivation and returns per hectare, the marketing cost per quintal, marketing efficiency as well as to identify the constraints related to cultivation and marketing of selected vegetables viz., brinjal, green tur, bottle gourd, okra, pointed gourd. Some of the results which emerged from the study were that the total marketing cost incurred per quintal by the vegetable growers was the lowest in case of in green tur crop (Rs. 70.50) while highest in case of bottle gourd (Rs. 98.00). On an average, the total marketing cost per quintal incurred was Rs. 80.25/qtl of which major share was accounted by transportation cost i.e. Rs. 54.25/qtl (67.60 %) followed by packing cost (26.79 %) and loading-unloading (5.61 %).The net return per hectare was found to be positive in all vegetable crops. The net return/hectare over cost C₂ was highest (Rs. 449041.00) in case of pointed gourd and lowest in bottle gourd (Rs. 172236.00). The input–output ratio over Cost C2was the lowest in case of green tur (1:1.49) and highest in pointed gourd (1:2.24).

Keywords

Marketing Costs, Margins, Cost of Cultivation, Marketing Efficiency, Price Spread.

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