Cost and Return Analysis of Kharif Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Bhilwara District, Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Sorghum is a heat and drought resistant crop that is widely grown in arid and semi-arid regions for food, feed and bio-energy. The sorghum crop is important to the majority of farmers for income, nutritional security and environmental sustainability. They grow sorghum not for profit, but because it is the only crop that can withstand the harsh climatic conditions that exist. The present study aimed to investigate the economics of sorghum in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan during the year 2020-21 using primary data from 60 sample households from four different villages. Methods: The standard cost concept method of the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Price (CACP) was used to calculate the cost of cultivation (COC) of sorghum crop. It includes Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1, Cost C2 and Cost C3. Farm income measures, which include gross income, farm business income, family labour income and net income, are used to determine crop profitability and return on investment. Result: The results of study revealed that total cost (Cost C2) of sorghum cultivation per ha was found to be ₹ 25149.69. The cost of producing one quintal of sorghum was calculated to be ₹ 1383.18. Sorghum cultivation generated a net income, farm business income and family labour income of ₹ 23658.44, ₹ 30680.32 and ₹ 26527.74 per ha, respectively.