Comparative Analysis of the Economics of Crop Cultivation under the Poly House and Open Field Conditions in Rajasthan

Abstract

The results revealed that the total cost incurred in the crop cultivation under polyhouse conditions was higher than open field conditions for all three crops. The share of the total variable cost was more than 65 percent for the three crops in each condition and was slightly higher under open field conditions, while the share of fixed costs was higher in the total cost of cultivation for the crops grown under polyhouse. On the other hand, returns obtained from polyhouse cultivation were observed more than the returns obtained from open field conditions. For all the crops, net returns were more than double when grown in polyhouses, which suggested a profitable situation for the crops grower under polyhouse. Returns per rupee were again higher for the cucumber, tomato, and chilli grown under polyhouse conditions with values 2.17, 2.12, and 2.21, respectively, than in open field conditions amounting to 2.11, 1.96, and 1.82 correspondingly. To reap these benefits associated with polyhouse cultivation, marginal and small farmers can go for cooperative farming. Regular training and extension services areto be made available to the young entrepreneurs and farmers to impart information about the technical know-how of the growing crops under protective technologies