Economic analysis of baby corn (Zea mays) cultivation in Haryana

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is used for human food as well as animal feed, and it is also widely used in starch industry. Towards diversification and value addition through cultivation of Baby corn for vegetable purpose is emerging as a highly profitable activity. Farmers can grow four crops in a year, and the production of baby corn generates employment amongst the rural poor’s, from children to the elderly persons. The demand for baby corn is rapidly increasing in urban areas of India. Keeping in view the importance of baby corn from nutritional point of view and its vast potential in increasing the income of farmers and diversification of the cropping system, the present study was carried out with the objectives, viz. to study the cost and returns of baby corn cultivation and to identify the constraints in production. The present experiment was conducted in the Sonipat district of Haryana during 2016. Data regarding general particulars, cost and returns and problems faced in production of Baby corn were collected from 60 farmers through well-structured and pretested interview schedule and were analyzed using appropriate tools. The result revealed that the cost of cultivation of baby corn was ₹45707/acre, net return per acre of baby corn turned out as ₹58405 while return per rupee of investment was ₹2.28. Eighty per cent of farmers felt the problem of non-availability of standard quality and high yielding variety seeds of baby Corn.