An Economic Analysis of Production and Marketing of Major Pulses in Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Pulses form a major source of protein for a huge section of India particularly for the poor, backward classes and most of the traditionally vegetarian population. An attempt has been made in the study to examine the production and marketing aspects of major pulses in Raigarh district. The study was undertaken to estimate growth in area, production and productivity of major pulses in Raigarh district and Chhattisgarh state (2001-02 to 2011-12), the cost of cultivation of major pulses in the study area, to examine the marketing pattern of major pulses, to identify the constraints in production and marketing of major pulses and to suggest policy measures for improvement in production and marketing of major pulses as the main objectives.The present study was conducted in the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. Hundred farmers were selected randomly from ten villages namely Gautma, Gersa, Ishwarpur, Jampali, Katkaliya, Kendatikra, Kahirbahar, Nawagaon, Salheona, Sithra. The primary data were collected for the year 2013-14. The major findings of this study revealed that the average size of holding of the sample households was 3.19 hectares. Production performance of major pulses (pigeon pea, black gram, green gram, lathyrus and horse gram) during study period (2001-02 to 2011-12) was observed negative and non-significant growth in Raigarh district except area, production and productivity of pigeon pea and production of black gram and horse gram as well as productivity of black gram, green gram and horse gram was found positive. In Chhattisgarh state (during 2001-02 to 2011-12), growth in area, production and productivity of above pulse crops was observed negative and non significant except area production and productivity of pigeon pea and productivity of black gram and lathyrus. This was mainly due to negative and non-significant growth in area and production of major pulses. Paddy, pigeon pea, green gram, black gram, lathyrus, groundnut and mustard were the major crops in the study area. Cost of production per quintal of major pulses showed decreasing trend with the increase in farm size, where as cost of cultivation increased with the increase in farm size. Per hectare major pulses production and input-output ratio increased with the increase in farm size. The two marketing channels were identified for the marketing of major pulses: Channel-I: Producer – Village merchant. Channels-II: Producer – consumer. The major constraints pertaining to cultivation of major pulses were lack of technical knowledge, followed by low adoption of recommended package practices of crops and lack of financing. Constraints of marketing of major pulses were lack of regulated or cooperative market followed by lack of market intelligence and lack of storage facility. Study suggested establishing the regulated or cooperative market in Raigarh district and imparting the technical knowledge and extension support so that farmers can adopt improved technologies with assured irrigation facilities. It is essential to adopt the production system approach by linking the production technology, credit and marketing of major pulses, the study suggested.