Resource use efficiency of turmeric cultivation under conventional and modern methods in Northern Karnataka

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)is one of the multi-use products which has many valuable properties and uses. It is extensively used in food, textile, medicine and cosmetic industries. Turmeric has colouring property because of the curcumin content, and hence it is used as natural colouring agent for food stuffs, jellies and fruit drinks. The dye made out of turmeric is used in the textile, paint and varnish industries. Turmeric plays prominent role in the medicinal industries, serving as an ingredient for the preparation of valuable drugs for many of the disorders in human beings. In this regard, the present study is an attempt for resource use efficiency of turmeric cultivation under conventional and modern methods in Northern Karnataka. The study revealed that, the average age of the traditional turmeric farmers was 40.8 years whereas in modern turmeric farmers were of 44.7 years age. Majority of the sample farmers both traditional (93.33%) and modern farmers (96.67%) were literate having their education ranging from primary to college level The inputs included in model explained 90 per cent (traditional farmers) and 94 per cent (modern farmers) variation in turmeric output as revealed by the coefficient of multiple determination (R). The summation of regression coefficients indicated decreasing returns to scale.