Average Benefit Cost Ratio Research Articles

Transformation of the farm segment of the aquaculture value chain in southern Bangladesh

Aquaculture in Bangladesh has experienced rapid growth over the last three decades, yet technological changes in the farming segment remains underexplored. To address this gap, we surveyed 721 farmers across seven districts in southern Bangladesh from November 2020 to February 2021. The result showed moderate growth in aquaculture, with an 11 % increase in farmers and a 15 % rise in waterbodies over the past decade. Farmers cultivated diverse aquatic species, with carp dominating production at 56 % followed by crustaceans (16 %) and tilapia (14 %). Shrimp are more highly susceptible to disease than fish and prawn but, only 19 % of farmers adopted measures to enhance survival. The study noted a shift from shrimp to prawn and from crustaceans to fish due to disease, market demand, and environmental factors, resulting in intensification and greater use of floating feed over the last decade. A mere 0.55 % of farmers reported losses, spoilage, or wastage during harvest or between harvest and sale of aquatic products, with the volume being minimal at just 0.52 %. Farming generated 401,536 full-time equivalent (FTE) on-jobs in the seven surveyed districts, predominantly for family labor. Aquaculture demonstrates strong profitability, with an average benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.98, indicating nearly a twofold return on investment. This study highlights the evolving dynamics of aquaculture in southern Bangladesh, revealing modest growth, increased species diversification, and shifts in production practices, which underscore the sector's profitability and need for improved technological adoption on a global scale.

Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on New Chickpea Varieties in Western Parts of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Background: Cluster Front Line Demonstrations were conducted to study the comparative performance of new chickpea varieties in the western parts of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. These demonstrations were conducted at twenty five locations during the Rabi season of two consecutive years (2019-20 and 2020-21). Methods: Three improved chickpea varieties (Nandyal Gram-3, Nandyal Gram-49 and Nandyal Gram-452) were selected to implement these demonstrations and the improved varieties were compared with the locally grown JG-11 variety. Result: During two years of assessment, the pooled results revealed that the highest mean number of pods (51.3) per plant and average pod yield (2234 kg ha-1) were recorded in Nandyal Gram-452 compared to local variety JG-11 (41.2 pods per plant; 1862 kg ha-1). The lowest incidence of fusarium wilt was recorded in Nandyal Gram 452 (6.14%) followed by Nandyal Gram 49 (9.73%) and Nandyal Gram 3 (12.04%) compared to JG-11 (15.83%). The lowest dry root rot was also observed with Nandyal Gram-452 variety (10.92%) compared to JG-11 (18.19%). The higher average net income (80486 Rs ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.9) were realized in the demonstration with the improved Nandyal Gram-452 variety in comparison to lower net income (58370Rs ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.3) with JG-11. These results clearly indicated that the improved chickpea variety Nandyal Gram 452 is the best alternative old variety JG-11 which is being cultivated since 2005.

Impact Assessment and Popularization of Improved Production Technology of Blackgram,Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper and Greengram,Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) in Old Alluvial Soil of Malda, India

ABSTRACT Pulse production in Old Alluvial Zone, Malda is significantly low compared to their potentiality due to poor cultivation practices and adoption of traditional varieties by the farmers. Cluster Frontline Demonstration, which is a noble tool, was studied during 2017–2019 in two pulses viz. blackgram (var. PU-31) and greengram (var. PDM-139) to evaluate its impacts on technology adoption and bridge the gaps in yields among potential, demonstration, and farmers’ plots. In this study, variation of technology index (TI) was observed between 23.6–32.33% and 26.07–31.67% for blackgram and greengram, respectively; whereas extension yield gaps varied by 458.0–522.0 kg ha−1 and 462.0–508.0 kg ha−1, respectively. It was inferred that blackgram and greengram productivity can be enhanced by 76.46–90.43% and 82.06–84.53%, respectively, by adopting an improved package of farm technologies. The BCR (benefit–cost ratio) of blackgram and greengram in demonstration plots varied between 1.99–2.18 and 2.03–2.61, respectively; whereas in farmers’ plots they were 1.38–1.56 and 1.39–1.82, respectively, i.e., average BCR enhanced by 41.61% and 44.57% in demonstration plots over farmers’ plots of blackgram and greengram, respectively, by adopting improved production technologies. During 2017–19, improved production technology in demonstration plots increased the average water usage efficiency of blackgram and greengram by 42.25% and 82.79%, respectively. The yield variations between farmers’ plots and demonstration plots were statistically significant at p ≤ .01 significance level. It is hypothesized that CFLDs are quite feasible and have enormous potential to enhance blackgram and greengram productivity in prevailing farming situations of socio-economically poor farming communities of this region in a sustainable manner.

Study of Milk Cost Production in Buffaloes of Telangana State

Background: Telangana state stands 13th position in milk production with 5.61 MT of milk production during 2019-20 as compared to 4.2 MT in 2014-15. The profitability of dairy enterprise is determined by sale price of milk and of late there is lot of uproar from farming community on lack of proper support price for milk. So having adequate data on cost of milk production in different sized farms in buffaloes will enable policy makers to arrive at a minimum support price for milk, so that the farmer will not be put to loss. Methods: An investigation was carried out to study the cost of milk production in buffaloes of dairy farmers in Karimnagar, Khammam and Rangareddy districts of Telangana. The data was collected from 240 farmers spread over 24 villages in 6 mandals in the selected districts. The 240 respondents were interviewed as per the questionnaire. Result: Average milk production per day per animal, sale price of milk per kg per animal per day was 8.63 lit, Rs.35.42 respectively. Cost of milk production in large, medium and small herd size was found to be Rs.26.32, Rs.26.68, Rs.27.08, respectively. Average cost of milk production per animal per day was found to be Rs.26.49. The average net income from cow was Rs.77.03. The average profit/litre of milk was calculated as Rs.8.92/lit. The average benefit-cost ratio was found to be 1.33.

Effects of seed treatment on cassava stake performance, whitefly population, disease incidence, and yield performance of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Malawi

IntroductionWhitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a pest of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and the vector for two of the crop’s major viral diseases – cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), causing severe economic losses for farmers. In this context, we conducted an on-farm experiment to study the efficiency of a seed treatment technology containing thiamethoxam, fludioxonil, and metalaxyl for rapid multiplication of superior cassava genotypes and early protection of the crop against whitefly at Salima and Nkhotakota, central Malawi in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 cropping seasons, respectively.MethodsThe trials were conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The effect of the application of the seed treatment on stake germination, whitefly population, CMD and CBSD incidences, and stem and storage root yields of three cassava varieties (Kalawe, Mbundumali, and Sauti) at three stake sizes (8 cm, 16 cm, and 25 cm) was compared with control – a 25 cm stake size of each of the cassava variety without seed treatment. A benefit-cost analysis was conducted to determine the profitability of the seed treatment technology for each stake size under certified and non-certified stem scenarios.Results and discussionRegardless of stake size and variety, plant germination was highest (96% by 16%) and mean whitefly population lowest (adult 0.4 vs. 3.0 plant-1; nymph 1.0 vs. 3.3 plant-1) with seed treatment application than without. Disease incidence measurements showed no significant effect of seed treatment on CBSD control (p = 0.31), but it reduced CMD incidence by 17% vs. 20% in the untreated. Stem and storage root yields across stake size and cassava variety were highest with seed treatment; 489 bundles ha-1 and 10 (DM) Mg ha-1, respectively. Using the 8 cm stake regardless of variety resulted in the highest average benefit-cost ratio for certified (18.3 USD USD-1) and non-certified (7.8 USD USD-1) cassava stem scenarios.ConclusionWe conclude that the application of the seed treatment tested in this study would offer protection to planted stakes, increase their germination, reduce whitefly population, increase stem and storage root yields in areas experiencing whitefly pressure, and result in high economic profits.

Impact Assessment of Pigeonpea + Maize Intercropping in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Aims: The net return of pigeonpea cultivated is lower due to failure to implement recommended intercropping and modern technology in the farming community in eastern Uttar Pradesh. To compensate for this anomaly, ICAR-IIVR-KVK, Deoria performed On-Farm-Trials (OFTs) for the evaluation of pigeonpea + maize intercropping in farmers' fields in various adopted villages in the Deoria District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
 Place and Duration of Study: The two year assessment and refinement study was carried out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malhana, Deoria, working under the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, UP, during 2015–16 to 2016-17.
 Methodology: In the present study of sole pigeonpea crop and intercropping of pigeonpea + maize was evaluated through on-farm trials (OFTs) among selected farmers’ field during Kharif season 2015-16 to 2016-17 in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, India,. Technology options for assessment of sole pigeonpea crop (T1) and pigeonpea + maize (T2) with improved packages and practices developed by IIPR, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, were tested at five selected farmer’s field.
 Results: Maximum average gross return (Rs 103460 ha-1), net return (Rs 71730 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.2:1) were recorded under intercropping of pigeonpea + maize, which was 41.50 percent, 43.40 and 5.96 percent more than the sown of sole crop of pigeonpea (T1) for gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio respectively, during the period of the on-farm trial.
 Conclusion: The higher value of the equivalent yield, the more feasible technology for the farming community of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

A Comparative Financial Analysis of Four Crops Based Cropping Patterns with Existing Cropping Patterns in Different Locations of Bangladesh

This study was undertaken to assess the comparative financial analysis of four crops based cropping pattern (FCP) with existing cropping pattern (ECP) in 35 upazilas of 25 districts under 7 divisions during the year of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Tabular technique and statistical analysis were done to achieve the objectives of the study. The Cobb-Douglas production function model was used for estimating the factors affecting FCP as well as ECP in the study areas. The major findings of the study were that cultivation of FCP was more profitable and feasible than ECP in terms of agronomic and economic point of view. The average total return per hectare for FCP was Tk. 529320.00 and Tk. 547896.00 and for ECP was an average Tk. 346788.00 and Tk. 348819.00 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. The total variable cost per hectare for FCP was Tk. 237134.00 and Tk. 238584.00 and for ECP was an average Tk. 175968.00 and Tk. 178294.00 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. Again the gross margin for FCP was Tk. 292186.00 and Tk. 309312.00 and for ECP was an average Tk. 170820.00 and Tk. 170525.00 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for FCP was 2.23 and 2.30 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. On the other hand, the BCR for ECP was 1.97 and 1.96 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. The average marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) in FCP over ECP was 2.98 and 3.30 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. Irrespective of locations, rice equivalent yield (REY), crop productivity, land use efficiency and profitability were higher in FCP than in ECP. The study also showed that FCP faced some problems mainly related to production and marketing of the crops. It may be concluded that the farmers should be encouraged to grow four crops in a calendar year rather than existing two or three crops to enhance productivity and profitability.

On Farm Testing on Foliar Application of Nutrients and Growth Regulators in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Background: Onfarm Testings were conducted to asses effect of TNAU Pulse wonder in pigeonpea variety LRG-52 in ten farmer’s holdings of kurnool district during kharif from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Methods: The experiment consisted of 7 technology options (treatments). T1: consisting recommended dose of fertilizers along with spraying of pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 during flowering and 15 days after 1st spray, T2: 75% RDF + Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 at flowering, T3: 50% RDF + Pulse wonder 5 kg ha-1 at flowering,T4: 100% RDF+ 2% DAP at flowering and pod formation stage T5: 100% RDF alone (20:50: 0 NPK kg ha-1),T6: Farmers practice ( 30: 60: 10 NPK kg ha-1 ),T7: Control. Data was analyzed using least significant difference in R software. Result: The results revealed that the T1 recorded the highest plant height (130,129,127 cm at flowering stage in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively). The lowest flower shedding observed in T1 treatment while it was the highest under T6 in all the three years of the study. Pod yield was the highest in T1 (1889, 1870 and ,1873 kg ha-1 in 2018-19, 2019-2020 and 2020-21 respectively) and the lowest in T7. The average highest benefit cost ratio (4.0) was realized in T1 and lowest in farmers practice (T6). Seed yield was positively correlated with number of flowers plant -1 (r value 0.813, 0.762 and 0.735) and test weight (r value 0.795,0.8 and 0.754) and negatively correlated with flower shedding ( r value -0.788,-0.712 and -0.750) in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 years respectively. The final yield of crop is the cumulative effects of growth and yield attributes which manipulate the favorable parameters for higher yields.

Building a business case for workplace menstrual hygiene management programs: a social cost–benefit analysis

Abstract Inadequate menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) pose a great challenge for working women, affecting their productivity, job satisfaction, attendance, and advancement, and also have implications for their employers. Yet there has been little research to quantify the impacts of poor MHH conditions or to consider the value add of workplace MHH programs. As part of USAID's Water Sanitation and Hygiene Partnerships for Learning and Sustainability project, we conducted a social cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace Action Research, a 10-month intervention in private sector enterprises in Nepal and Kenya. The intervention aimed to determine if providing adequate MHM in the workplace contributes to women's economic empowerment, including improved business and social outcomes. This CBA of a workplace MHM intervention – the first of its kind – found a positive return for investing in workplace MHM programs. The average benefit–cost ratio in the base-case across factories in a 10-month intervention was 1.4, which increased to 2.3 when projected over 24 months. These early results of a pilot CBA on MHM in the workplace should serve as a call for greater attention by governments and businesses to the needs of menstruating women.

Economic Analysis of Goat Enterprises in Kathmandu District

This study was conducted in Kathmandu district to perform comparative economic analysis of small and commercial goat enterprises. In the study the average annual return from large enterprises was found to be six times greater than that of small enterprises. The average annual fixed cost of small enterprises was found to be one tenth of that of commercial goat enterprises. The total average annual variable cost of small enterprises was found comparatively less than that of commercial enterprises, which is more than five times less. The per unit goat cost for the small enterprises is also twenty-five hundred less than that of commercial enterprises. The gross profit per year of small enterprise was around sixty thousand rupees with 9.5% gross profit margin ratio while in commercial goat enterprises gross profit per year accounted almost 4 lakh with gross profit margin ratio 10.45%. Similarly, the average benefit cost ratios for small and commercial enterprises were found similar i.e. 1.10 and 1.12 but break even points varied widely as 18.36% and 56% respectively. The study concluded that there is no significant difference in production costs and income among small and commercial goat enterprises present in Kathmandu district testing at 5% level of significance. It also reveals positive aspects of small goat enterprises and at the same time suggests low functional efficiency of commercial goat enterprises in Katmandu district.

Optimum Plant Nutrient Management for Oil Palm

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is an important economic crop of Thailand, including the lower South of Thailand. At present, farmers encounter the problem of increasing production costs, due to the lack of proper knowledge and understanding of nutrient management, resulted in low yields per land field and chemical fertilizers are expensive. Therefore, this research was conducted to test plant nutrient management for oil palm production to increase yield or reduce cost during the year of 2016-2021. From the test, it was found that the two recommended methods: fertilizing according to the leaf analysis and fertilizing according to leaf analysis in combination with mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer for 30 g./tree. The results reported that the production and the economic returns from the two methods were similar, but higher than the common fertilization method used by farmers. By fertilizing according to the leaf analysis value in combination with mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer for 30 g./ tree, it resulted in an average of 4,125 kg. /rai/year of oil palm bunch, providing an average net income of 11,751 baht/rai/year. The average benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 3.34, which was not statistically different from the fertilization method according to the leaf analysis, which produced an average oil palm bunch yield of 4,107 kilograms per rai, resulting in an average net income of 11,728 baht/rai/year, with an average BCR of 3.38. In meanwhile, for the common method of fertilizing used by farmer, the average oil palm bunch was 2,812 kg/rai/year. This resulted in an average net income of 9,079 baht/rai/year with an average BCR of 4.75. By fertilizing according to both recommended methods, the yield of oil palm bunch is higher than the farmers' common fertilization for 46.69 and 46.05 percent respectively and resulting in higher net income than the farmers' common fertilization by 29.43 and 29.17 percent respectively. However, considering the soil before the experiment, the root infestation of endemic mycorrhizal bacteria was 57.15 percent. After the experiment, the average root infestation of mycorrhizal fungi was 50.00 percent for the first fertilizing method, followed by the third method - the common method of fertilizing used by farmer, at 39.17 percent, followed by the second method - the fertilizer application according to the leaf analysis and fertilizing according to leaf analysis in combination with mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer for 30 g./tree, which resulted 36.33 percent. Therefore, the increased yield of oil palm bunch from the recommended method is caused by fertilizing according to the leaf analysis, not from using mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer at the rate of 30 g./tree. In addition, fertilizing according to leaf analysis resulted in a marginal rate of return (MRR) of 105.49 percent. Hence fertilizing according to the leaf analysis is the optimum plant nutrient management for oil palm production in Songkhla Province.

Biological control of weeds in Australia: the last 120 years

AbstractThe development of the field of biological control of weeds in Australia is described, from the first attempts in 1903 to the present day. The interest sparked by the obvious success of prickly pear program, apparent from 1930 to 1935, resulted in several programs during the next 20 years, followed by a decline in activity until the 1970s when activity increased enormously following the success of the skeleton weed program and the effective use of a plant pathogen for the first time. This momentum was maintained until the beginning of the present century with several successes and was marked by several important advances in genetic profiling, host‐specificity testing, economic evaluation, conflict of interest resolution and the ecology of insect/plant interactions, including evaluation of the effectiveness of individual introductions. Biological control has proved to be a valuable and effective approach to weed management in Australia with 39% of all programs considered to produce complete or near‐complete control, 30.5% partial control and an average benefit–cost ratio of 23:1. Funding for research has been variable with a decline from the late 1990s but with a significant increase again since 2020.

A prospect-theoretic game approach to demand response market participation through energy sharing in energy storage systems under uncertainty

The Paris Agreement, which is carried out in a bottom-up manner, is giving great vitality to the transition to low-carbon energy system. Accordingly, as the spread of renewable energy increases, securing flexibility resources is emerging as a keyword in the power system and power market, and many studies on demand response (DR) and energy storage system (ESS) classified as demand-side flexible resources are being conducted. However, most of the studies on DR are on voluntary DR programs that participate through bidding among incentive-based DR or price-based DR programs, and ESS faced difficulties in its distribution due to low economic feasibility. Therefore, in this work, we propose a feasible process for participating in a reliability DR program that guarantees high profitability but involves high uncertainty, and non-cooperative game model is suggested to mitigate the uncertainty through surplus electricity-trading model of ESS. In addition, a subjective decision-making based on prospect theory is proposed to reflect the impact of the uncertainty about the incentive-based program’s engagement. Case study results performed in an environment formed based on actual operation data of the Korean DR market prove that participants’ uncertainty is mitigated when participating in the DR market through power trading of ESS through the proposed model. In addition, a small-scale ESS with an average benefit–cost ratio of 0.78 improves by up to 1.08 (1.04 with a standard scenario).

Dofarmers use waterlogged wastelands efficiently? An economic study on water chestnut farming in Bangladesh.

Waterlogging due to rain-fed floods is considered a natural calamity worldwide that causes lands in the north region of Bangladesh to remain underwater and uncultivable for most crops during the rainy season. This unused wasteland has immense potential for additional earnings for the marginal farmer by converting it to cultivable land through proper utilization by cultivating water chestnuts. Increasing the productivity and efficiency of water chestnut farming in these wastelands would facilitate higher food production for the growing populations. Therefore, this study estimates the farmers' profitability of water chestnut production along with technical efficiency (TE) and land use efficiency (LUE). Primary data from 150 farmers of Natore, Naogaon, and Jamalpur districts were used and stochastic frontier analysis was employed. Results reveal that no farmers had any training in water chestnut farming. Human labor and land use costs incur more than 80% of the total cost and laborers shortage was found due to skin problems working in the water. However, water chestnut farming was profitable in all districts and the average benefit-cost ratio was 1.37. TE results indicate that there was an opportunity to increase the water chestnut production by 20.2% using the same amount of inputs. LUE by the water chestnut farmers was found to be very low; hence, they were using their land inefficiently and this inefficiency was positively affected by farm size and number of family members and negatively affected by age, year of schooling, and income. The study suggests research focusing on improved management of water chestnut without affecting laborers and training to facilitate higher productivity and LUE.

Comparative analysis of the profitability of the tossa and kenaf seed cultivation at contact growers’ level in selected areas of Bangladesh

This study compared the profitability of tossa and kenaf seed cultivation based on the 2021 seed-growing season in two locations: Rangpur and Jashore using the tossa variety BJRI Tossa Pat 8 and Rangpur and Kishoreganj using the kenaf variety HC-95. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, break-even analysis and cost-benefit analysis. The expensive factors in growing tossa and kenaf seeds were labor costs, followed by land use, machinery, fertilizers, and seed. While the cost of labor (58.38%) and fertilizers (8.74%) were higher for tossa seed, the cost of seed (4.85%) for kenaf seed cultivation was higher as a percentage of the total cost. The highest tossa and kenaf seed yields were 722 kgha-1 and 798 kgha-1, respectively, in Jashore and Kishoreganj. Average break-even price for kenaf seed was Tk. 130 kg-1, which was less expensive than tossa seed (Tk. 181 kg-1). When compared to kenaf (341 kgha-1), average break-even quantity of tossa seed was higher (679 kgha-1). The average benefit cost ratio was found higher in the kenaf seed crop, as compared to the tossa seed crop in respect of total cost, variable cost, and cash cost. According to this finding, growing kenaf as seed crop can be profitable for farmers.

Cluster Demonstration on Integrated Nutrient Management in Dragon Fruit at Farmer Field of Aizawl District Mizoram, India

The cluster demonstration of dragon fruit at Muthi & Durtlang Village of Aizawl District has demonstrated under PKVY Programme in the year 2019. A total of 30 farmers were demonstrated for that KVK has provided altogether 1000 nos. of cutting from 2-3 years old strong and dark green healthy (damage free & pest free) and 300 nos. RCC pole 100 mm concrete post with the height of 2 m of selected beneficiaries. Each plant was fed 15-20 kg with organic inputs well decomposed FYM or poultry manure, coir compost and vermicompost along with bio-fertilizers and recommended dose of fertilizer: (500: 300:250 NPK and 100 each of Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing and Potash Solubilizing Bacteria were applied to each plant g/plant/year.) Applied in three doses just before flowering (in April), fruit developing stage (July -August) and after harvesting time (in December).The results revealed that there were significant differences in term of vine length (196.26cm), vine thickness (19.03cm), number of vines per plant (5.98) over the farmers practices which was vine length (182.23cm), vine thickness (17.95cm), number of vines per plant (5.14) The results revealed that there were significant differences over farmer practices as influenced by technology demonstration treatment in both the demonstration year. The demonstrated technologies recorded average yield of 8.043 tone/ha which was 18.50 percent higher than the obtained with farmer’s practices of 6.787 tone/ha. The demonstrated field gave higher mean gross return (`USD 12763.70 /ha) and mean net returns (`USD 12155.91 /ha) with average benefit cost ratio of 1.14 compared to benefit cost ratio of 1.04 over farmer practices. The findings demonstrated that by implementing suggested technology, broccoli yield and economics can be improved.

Techno Economic Benefits through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations of Redgram in Mahbubnagar District of Telangana

Redgram is the suitable pulse crop for the Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. The farmers are reaping poor yields and lesser net returns as they were nor aware of newly released medium duration Redgram varieties and not practicing the best management practices, keeping in view, Cluster front line demonstration in Redgram were organised in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana state using recent released variety PRG 176 (Ujwala). A total of 50 Front Line demonstrations were organized in cluster approach. Best management practices for Redgram production were demonstrated for getting higher net returns. The demonstrated variety PRG 176 having yield potential of 20 q/ha in light soils recorded average yield of 15.4 q/ha in demonstration field. The check variety recorded an average of 10.9 q/ha. The average gross cost, gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio recorded was Rs. 20,000/ha, 83430/ha, 63430/ha and 3.17 than the farmer practice Rs.21000/ha, Rs.67500/ha, Rs.46500 and 2.21 respectively. Cluster front line demonstration is one of the successful extension methods for the transfer of technology to reduce extension gap and adoption gap.

Impact of Front Line Demonstration on Pigeon Pea in Farmers Field through a Cluster Approach

In the operational region of KVK, Palem, a total of 175 cluster frontline demos (CFLDs) on pigeon pea were carried out with the Redgram variety PRG-176 from 2019–20 to 2021–2022. Through farmer meetings and group discussions, the crucial inputs in the production technology now in use were identified. The results for pigeon peas showed an overall yield trend of 12.50 to 13.00 q/ha and a yield improvement of 11.11 to 11.84% over the yield from local methods, respectively. Due to significant heterogeneity in the extent of adoption of recommended technology based on the level of risk associated in terms of cost, convenience, ability, and knowledge of the concerned practice, the yield levels were significantly lower under local practices. Pigeon pea had an average extension gap, technology gap, and technology index of 128.30, 125, and 8.93%, respectively. The average gross and net returns of the pigeon pea crop demonstration were, respectively, 72895 and 47045 percent higher than the farmers' practices. Throughout the trial, the average benefit cost ratio was found to be greater in pigeon pea, at 2.8 respectively. The technological gap and index percentage were found to vary as a result of differences in agro-climatic parameters, soil fertility, biotic stressors, socioeconomic status, and management practices. Therefore, it is plainly clear from the data that the frontline demonstration program's use of superior varieties, packaging, and processes together with scientific intervention has contributed to raising the productivity and profitability of pulses in the global economy.

Economics of Lentil Production under Relay and Conventional Tillage Practice

The study was intended to find out the most profitable method between the relay and tillage growing method of lentil production. For primary data collection, a simple random sampling method was followed. Household survey was conducted in two districts Bardiya and Kailali in 2021 AD. A total of 107 lentil farmers (43 farmers following relay and 64 farmers following tillage practices) were randomly selected from two pockets area (relay and tillage method adopters) of each district. Benefit-Cost (BC) ratio analysis was done to find out the most profitable method of lentil cultivation. Multiple regression model was applied to estimate the factors determining the lentil production. The average BC ratio is 2.18 which indicates that lentil cultivation is profitable with average productivity of 0.64 mt/ha. The total cost incurred per ha in relay and tillage method was NRs. 24345 and NRs. 33549 respectively. Similarly, gross income from relay and tillage method was found NRs. 56160 and NRs 69870, per ha respectively. In between the two popular methods (relay and tillage) of lentil cultivation, the BC ratio was found 2.31 in the relay method compared to 2.08 in the tillage method. Among the several socio-economic independent variables used in the model, the age of the household head and fertilizer application significantly influenced the lentil production. However, lentil production is negatively affected by the practice of intermixed cropping. Hence the result indicates that relay cropping with mono-cropping and appropriate management of fertilizer could play a crucial role to boost the profitability of lentil farming

Socioeconomic study of traditional fish farmers and trained farmers in the Indian Sundarbans ecosystem

AbstractThe Sundarbans, major marshy land, and brackish water ecosystem of the West Bengal were inhabited by many species of fishes which were the main dependants of the people living there. The present investigation was conducted using a questionnaire survey, participatory rural appraisal, key informant interviews, and focus group discussion and to assess the present state of production of major cultivable species of Sundarbans like mullet, shrimp, tilapia, mud-crabs, giant prawn and Asian seabass. A socioeconomic and technical survey of 45 trained and 45 traditional practitioners of aquaculture were conducted from May 2017 – April 2018. This study and appraisal intended to compare the socioeconomic relationship between traditional fish farmers and trained aquaculturists in Indian Sundarbans. The modern farmers usually practice the farming systems like Jayantirohu cultivation, white shrimp cultivation, genetically improved farmed tilapia, crabs fattening and crab culture; periphyton based giant prawn cultivation and Asian seabass culture with forage feeding with bait fishes. The trained farmers were enriched with much knowledge and information gained from various training, which the traditional farmers were lacking. It was found average benefit-cost ratio for traditional farming and modern farming system of 1:1.89 for traditional fish farmers and 1:3.13 for trained farmers. It was helping the modern practitioners to earn more profit to suffice their family needs as well as they were now accomplishing more safety, security measures for their family, investing more in their aquaculture practices. The yield of fish culture was affected by pond conditions, family labor engagement, and resource endowment of the fisher family. Linkage with formal financial institutions, subsidized input support from the fishery department, and investment in human resource development of farmers might be some point of intervention to boost fish culture in the coastal zone of West Bengal, India.