Abstract

Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered as queen of cereals and an important cereal crops, next only to rice and wheat.

Methodology: The present investigation was conformed to the database of the cpmcc scheme.

Findings: The increase in the use of hired human labour was observed with increase in the size group of holdings, while decrease in use of resources like family labour, machine labour, seed and nitrogenous fertilizers was noticed with increase in size group of holdings. Per hectare cost of cultivation of maize was `26150.39 while gross returns were `31335.95. The net profit at Cost 'C' was ` 5185.57 and B:C ratio was 1.20. In case of resource use gap excess use was observed in case of seed and nitrogen fertilizers while less use of manures, phosphorous and potash was observed. Technical efficiencies on small, medium and large maize farms were 0.992, 0.953 and 0.970, respectively and 27 small, 23 medium and 25 large farms were technically efficient. Allocative and economic efficiencies of maize farms revealed that not a single small farm, only one medium farm and not a single large farm were economically and allocatively efficient. While, 7 small farms, 6 medium farms and 7 large farms have economic efficiency more than 50 per cent. Cost minimizing input quantities revealed that small, medium and large maize farms could reduce its cost by 66.90, 61.40 and 42.02 per cent, respectively by choosing a more cost efficient input mix for allocatively efficient farms. The cost minimization on small maize farms was `3880.42 while on medium farms it was `3281.50 and on large farms `4045.69 by using a new cost efficient input mix.

Application/Improvements: Optimum utilization of all other resources by the farmers will have to be ensured for higher production by passing on the crop production technologies to them by using the effective extension measures.

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