Machine Labor Research Articles

Impact of farm mechanization on rice cultivation of Bargarh District

The study was conducted to analyze the impact of farm mechanization on rice cultivation in Bargarh district of Odisha. Personal interview method was used to collect primary data using pre-tested structured interview schedules from 120 sample farmers. Multistage sampling technique was followed for selection of sample farmers. Farm budgeting and Garrett ranking techniques were used to analyze the collected data. The study revealed that, in case of manual cultivation of rice in the study area, a total of 35.65 man days of man labour, 22.84 days of woman labour and 2.96 pair days of bullock labour and 3.57 hours of machine labour were utilized. The need of human labour is more in traditional farming the semi-mechanical farming. The average yield per acre of manual and semi-mechanical cultivation was found to be 23.50 quintals and 24.75 quintals, respectively. The net returns per acre for rice cultivation for traditional rice growers and adopters of mechanical harvesting was found to be Rs. 13190.45 and Rs. 17613.91 leading to returns to cost ratios of 1.70 and 2.07, respectively. The major constraints faced by the owners of machines in semi-mechanical cultivation of Rice were high cost of the machines, non-availability of financial support and fluctuations in area under the crop.

Resource use efficiency of bitter gourd in Konkan region (M.S.)

Resource use efficiency of production of bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia L.) in Konkan region (M.S.) was undertaken with a cross sectional sample of 120 bitter gourd cultivators. The per hectare physical input utilization indicated that, the proportion of family labour days was more (53.50%) than hired labour days (46.00%) with per hectare average of 267.84 labour days. Regarding other inputs Rs.5045.00 of supporting and shading materials, 148.90 kg N, 116.60 kg P 2 O 5 , 19.88 kg K 2 O, 34.58 q FYM, 637.07 kg mulching materials, and netting materials Rs.1242.40 wire and Rs.1200.00 net and 13.40 hrs/ha of machine labour were used. The Cobb-Doug production function analysis revealed that, the intensive use of seed (kg), fertilizers (kg), irrigation (hrs) and supporting materials had positive and significant influence on production. The co-efficient of determination (R 2 ) indicated that 86.00 per cent variation in bitter gourd production. The functional analysis indicated to reallocate available resources to increase the profit from cultivation of bitter gourd by proper management of available resources and given technology.

Economic impact of zero tillage on wheat cultivation in Ambala (Haryana), India

The present study was conducted with the specific objective i.e. to analyze the economic impact of recourse conservation technology (zero tillage) as compare to conventional tillage practices on wheat cultivation in Ambala district of Haryana. The study revealed that there was significant impact of conservation practices, 22% human labour, 37% machine labour, 25% seed cost and 33% irrigation water was saved under zero tillage compared to conventional tillage (CT) method of wheat production. B: C ratio under zero tillage was 2.86 while underconventional method it was reduced to 2.56. Therefore, zero tillage was economically feasible. It was observed that through the zero tillage farmers can get 3% more yield. The net returns in ZT of wheat production were higher by 4% as compared to CT method. In case of zero tillage, economic efficiency measure was 0.61 as compared to 0.34 in conventional system of wheat cultivation. The research work conducted was holistic in nature combining various elements of technology, resource conservation and economics.

ANALISIS SISTREM AGRIBISNIS INDUSTRI RUMAH TANGGA TAHU DAN TEMPE (Studi Kasus di Kabupaten Nganjuk)

Protein is need keep increasing in arow increasion of population and income amount, while in other hand supply of protein source in Indonesia isn't enough yet. This need substitution protein source that easy to get and cheap. From WS contain, soybean with derivative product tahu and tempe is high protein source, non colesterol, contain of essential amino acid for body, easy to get and not so exspensive, where in economic crisis its demand were increasing because of instable price from other protein source; chiken, cow, goat, meat, etc.In economic crisis condition tahu and tempe producer also face with soybean jump price, for example in luny 1998 soybean price Rp. 2.300,- / kg no more two months after move up Rp. 4.400,- / kg even rare in market, that condition could make direct effect in production and product price determine (consumer service)Related with confinuoing tahu and tempe product examined agribusiness all system that limited use : (a) each 30 samples to soybean demand in home industry, (b) effeciency reachment efforts and production process each 30 samples and (c) each 100 samples at output demand in consument point.Used data in analysis is primer data where three of data types taken proposively in Nganjuk regency area. Used analysis instrument is Shazam with Ordinary Least Square (OLS) methode, for confinuoing of analysis result well discussed to solve the phenomenon that three of agribusiness sub sector exist.The soybean demand as the tahu raw material was inelastic (- 0.71802). Capital showed the most significant influence (0.71236), so did the plant's capacity (0.731060). The kedelai demand as the tempe raw material was inelastic (-0.85791). The tempe producer's capital was the most significant effect (0.51957) and the tempe processing plant's capacity had significant effect (0.64195).From the tahu production it was obtained TER of 0:99999542549667, in which the soybean and the fuel had been allocated efficiently, water addition was needed where as the workers had to be reduced. From the tempe production it was obtained TER of 0.9993365823 and the human labor was allocated efficiently; additional soybean, fuel and machine labor were still required.The tahu demand was inelastic (- 0.80468), and it was a normal good, wheat flour (-0.536080) was complementary good, whereas chicken (0.431800), lamb (0.789220), beef (0.615360) and fish (0.445760) were substituting goods. The tempe demand was elastic (-1.5042), the average consumption was 0.86 kg tempe per 100 consumers, with the price of Rp 3,267.- per kg. The chicken has the most significant effect (1.1847).

Resource productivity and resource use efficiency in chickpea production on dryland farm

Resource productivity and resource use efficiency of chickpea production have been computed using primary data collected from 48 dryland farm spread over two tehsils in Nanded district of Maharashtra. The study revealed that area under chickpea, human labour, bullock labour, machine labour, seed, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash and plant protection as resources. Cobb Douglas production function was fitted to the data. The results revealed that partial regression co-efficient of human labour was 0.455 followed by that area under chickpea was (0.173) positive at 1 per cent level and partial regression co-efficient of nitrogen and machine labour were positive but non-significant. Marginal product of area under chickpea was 2.286 quintals followed by that of bullock labour (0.187 q), plant protection (0.187q) and human labour (0.114q). MVP to price ratio with respect to potash was 9.69 followed by seed (6.87), human labour (2.60) and area under chickpea (1.91). Optimum use of area under chickpea was found to be 0.78 hectare and optimum use of human labour was 56.25 mandays.

Cost, returns and profitability of Bt-cotton production in beed district

Investigation was carried out during the year 2013-14. About 96 Bt-cotton growers were randomly selected from twelve villages of two tehsils of beed district of Maharashtra. Cross sectional data were collected from Bt-cotton grower with the help of pretested schedule by personal interview method. The techniques like mean, percentage, ratio and cost concept of Cost- A, Cost-B and Cost-C were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that per hectare cost of cultivation of Bt-cotton was Rs. 67137.76. Among individual items of expenditure, the share of rental value of land was 31.85 per cent followed by hired human labour (13.79 %), bullock labour (9.21), irrigation (8.17%), seed (7.51%), fertilizers (6.19%), family human labour (5.64 %), manure (5.45%), plant protection (3.75%), machine labour (2.15 %), respectively. Per hectare gross returns and net profit was Rs. 129111.85 and Rs. 61974.09, respectively. Output-input ratio was 1.92.

A Study on Comparative Economics of Grain and Seed Production of Groundnut in Karnataka, India

The present study was based on primary data collected for 100 farmers from Chitradurga district of Karnataka during the agricultural year 2013-14. Tabular analysis and discriminant function analysis was used in the present study. The analysis of data reveals that human labour occupied the major share (27.07%) of total cost in seed production and bullock and machine labour occupied the major share (29.38%) of total cost in grain production of groundnut. The higher human labour requirement in seed production was mainly due to activities like rouging, gap filling etc. The variable cost was comparatively higher in seed production (Rs. 25745.0 per ha) over grain production (Rs. 20752.0 per ha). The total cost of cultivation in groundnut seed production was around 18% higher than grain production. The gross return was about 27% higher in seed production than grain production and net return from seed production of groundnut was 44% higher than grain production. The BC ratio was 1.73 in case of groundnut seed production as compared to 1.60 in grain production. The discriminant analysis indicated that human labour with 45.56% followed by gross return (35.83%), seed (17.50%), manures and fertilizers (0.69%), bullock and machine labour (0.42%) contributed to discriminate between the seed and grain production of groundnut. The net return from groundnut seed production was encouraging, therefore the area under seed production may be increased for higher profitability and timely supply of quality seed to the farmers.

Cotton Cultivation in Punjab: An Economic Analysis

The present study was conducted to analyze the economics of cotton cultivation in south-western districts of Punjab at two different points of time viz. 2001–02 and 2009–10. The cross-section data collected from centrally sponsored “Comprehensive scheme to study the cost of cultivation of principal crops in Punjab ”from seven villages of different tehsils of south-western zone of Punjab having more than 50 percent of the net sown area under cotton were taken for the study. The cost structure changed significantly during the two study years. During 2001–02, the major share (50.09 percent) in total variable cost was of plant protection, followed by human labor (24.50 percent), machine labor (7.13 percent), fertilizer (5.34 percent) and seed (4.48 percent). While during 2009–10, the major share (45.92 percent) was of human labor followed by seed (15.13 percent), machine labor (8.25 percent) and fertilizers (7.95 percent). Due to higher yield advantage, picking in Bt cotton required more labor as this operation is done manually. So, mechanization of picking operation can provide solution to this problem. Adequate storage facility and credit facility will help the farmers to avoid distress sale during glut period and increase their income.

Economic efficiency of improved red gram variety (BRG-2) in Karnataka: a DEA analysis

Red gram (Cajanus cajan) is an important pulse crop in India. Red gram is also known as Tur, Arhar and Pigeonpea. Red gram is a staple food and rich in protein. It contains about 22 per cent of protein, which is almost three times of cereals. It is resistant to drought and suitable for dry land farming and predominately grown as an intercrop with other crops. The present paper attempts to show the economic efficiency of the new variety of red gram crop BRG 2 developed and released by University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS B), Karnataka compare to the check variety TTB 7. The data needed for the study collected from the farmers in southern region of Karnataka state. The cost concepts and Data envelopment analysis are used to measure the economic viability and economic efficiency of improved variety of red gram crop. The results showed that the net return (with red gram as pure crop) was the higher ( 5, 629 per acre) for BRG2 red gram farms than ( 3, 936 per acre) for check variety farms, with a difference of 1, 692, by 30 per cent. DEA analysis shows that farmers of BRG 2 have greater economic efficiency, allocative efficiency than check variety farmers using inputs such as seed, farm yard manure, chemical fertilisers, human labour, bullock labour, machine labour and plant protection chemicals. The BRG 2 red gram variety is economically performing well in field conditions and offering higher returns to farmers compared to the check varieties. Hence the Department of Agriculture, GOK can popularise and encourage the widespread adoption of red gram BRG variety for improving the nutritive capacity of farmers and consumers.

Dynamics of Agricultural Mechanisation and Rural Labour Force

Analysis of cost of cultivation data, NSSO data and poverty data of Planning Commission reveals that during 1996–97 to 2010–11, there is declining share of human labour cost in the total operational cost of paddy and wheat growing states and increase in the machine labour cost. Family labour cost and animal labour cost moves in the same direction. As per NSSO data since the rural male employment increased by 46% (making a shift from self employment and regular employment to casual and regular employment) and female employment by 12% (shifting towards self employment and regular wage employment) during the period, the displacement is absorbed in the nonfarm activities. Further, faster average annual decline in rural poverty during 2004–11 (2.32%) than during 1993–2004 (0.81%) and reduction in the gap of rural urban poverty indicates increase in the standard of living. Effective Government policy on farm mechanization and diversification of rural activities will be a welcome strategy.

Comparative economics of seed production vis - à - vis grain production of pigeonpea in Karnataka, India

The present study was based on primary data collected for 100 farmers from Gulbarga district of Karnataka during the agricultural year 2013-14. Tabular and discriminant function analysis was used in the present study. The analysis of data shows that the total cost of cultivation in pigeonpea seed production was around 23 per cent higher than grain production. The variable cost was comparatively higher in seed production (26936 per ha) over grain production (20698 per ha). The gross return was about 32 per cent higher in seed production than grain production and net return from seed production of pigeonpea was 44 per cent higher than grain production. The discriminant analysis indicated that gross return with 55.88 per cent followed by seed (18.52 per cent), human labour (8.35 per cent), manures and fertilizers (7.01per cent), bullock and machine labour (5.99 per cent), plant protection chemicals (4.26 per cent) contributed to discriminate between the seed and grain production of pigeonpea. The net return from pigeonpea seed production was encouraging, therefore the area under seed production may be increased for higher profitability and timely supply of quality seed to the farmers.

Resource productivity and resource use efficiency in cashewnut production

Investigation was carried out during the year 2013-14. In all 48 cashewnut growers were randomly selected from sixteen villages of two tehsils in South-Goa district of Goa State. Cross sectional data were collected from cashewnut growers with the help of pretested schedule by personal interview method. Data were related to cashewnut outputs and inputs like machine labour, manure, fertilizers, irrigation and family human labour as resources. Cobb Douglas production function was fitted to the data. The results revealed that, regression co-efficient of area under cashewnut was 0.278 followed by that of machine labour (0.052). In next order, regression coefficient of potash was 0.008 followed by irrigation (0.139). Regression co-efficient of manure, nitrogen and family human labour were positive but non-significant. Marginal product of area under cashewnut was 6.431 quintals followed by that of machine labour (0.129 q), family human labour (0.035 q) and manure (0.129 q) and so on. MVP to price ratio with respect to machine labour was 2.28 followed by area under cashewnut (1.86), family human labour (1.61), potash (1.49), nitrogen (1.25), irrigation (1.19) and manure (1.16). Hence, preference might be given to increase machine labour on priority basis in cashewnut cultivation. Optimum resource use of area under cotton was 1.26 hectares and that of irrigation was 5505.50 m 3 .

To examine the cost and returns of cotton under contract and non-contract farming situations

Parbhani and Beed districts were purposely selected because the districts were taking contract farming in cotton crop, from two districts two tehsil were selected. Each tehsil ten villages were selected on the basis of highest area under contract. Ten farmers were selected randomly from each village for contract farming and same procedure was adopted for non-contact farming in case of cotton crop. The total effective sample size of respondents were 200. In case of contract farming, use of hired human labour was 130.04 man day, family labour 23.59 man day, bullock labour 22.27 pair day, machine labour 5.75 hours, seed 1.79 kg, nitrogen 140.07 kg, phosphorus 60.30 kg, potassium 89.74 kg, micronutrient 53.86 kg in that magnesium sulphate, borax and zinc sulphate was used, manure 42.23 quintal, plant protection 2.14 lit. Main produce was 17.44 quintal while by produce was 35.04 quintal. In case of non-contract farming use of hired human labour was 131.16 man day, female labour 29.14 kg, bullock labour 26.2 pair day, machine labour 4.09 hours, seed 1.31 kg, nitrogen 124.51 kg, phosphorus 63.62 kg, potassium 83.44 kg, micronutrient 11.25 kg in that use only magnesium sulphate, manure 28.47 quintal and plant protection 2.01 lit. Then main produce and by produce was 13.22 quintal and 21.04 quintal. It was observed that, in cotton production under contract farming rental value of land (22.05 %), hired human labour (16.85 %), fertilizers (9.90 %) bullock labour (8.92 %), seed (7.92 %) under non-contract farming major item was hired human labour (20.47 %), rental value of land (17.49 %), bullock labour (11.74 %), fertilizers (10.65 %), seed (6.53 %) were major items of expenditure. Gross return was Rs. 49718.56 and Rs. 35312.4 under contract and non-contract farming. In which contract farming main produce was Rs. 47616 and by produce was Rs. 2102.56, in case of non-contract farming main produce was Rs. 34050 and by produce was Rs. 1262.4 per hectare. In cost of cultivation total cost was Rs. 37440.99 and Rs. 33470.52 in contract and non-contract farming. The net profit was Rs. 12277.57 and Rs. 1841.88 regarding contract and non-contract farming. Then the benefit: cost ratio over total cost was 1.33 and 1.05 in case of contract and non-contract farming.

A comparative study on On-FarmDemonstration (OFD) farmers fields for paddy cultivation in Dharwad district of Karnataka state

The research study aims to investigate the comparison between On-Farm Demonstrations (OFD) and traditional method (farmers' fields) of paddy cultivation with special reference to socio-economic characteristic features, cropping pattern and cost and returns in Dharwad district of Karnataka state. Both primary and secondary data were used. The findings revealed that the average age of the farmers growing paddy in traditional method was around 45 years whereas in the case of OFD it was around 42 years. The average family size of the traditional paddy farmers was six members while OFD farmers it was five members. Further, the findings related to land holdings, the average land holding of traditional paddy farmers (1.93 ha)was less when compared to OFD paddy farmers (2.72 ha). However, the major crops grown during Kharif by the sample farmers were paddy and maize. It was also noticed that the cropping intensity was marginally high on the farms of OFD paddy farmers (194.48%) when compared to traditional paddy farmers (164.76%). The findings related to input utilization pattern in the study area conveys that among various inputs used in paddy cultivation, the OFD farmers used more of human labour, machine labour and organic manures, whereas traditional farmers used more of seeds, bullock labour and chemical fertilizers. The findings of cost and returns reveals that the gross returns and net returns of OFD farmers were observed to be higher (Rs. 55018 and Rs. 24953.47) when compared to traditional farmers (Rs. 43638.50 and Rs. 11193.40), respectively. Hence, the study suggests that this kind of technology should be disseminated through Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVKs) and appropriate extension methods of communication among farming community in order to get benefited from this promising technology especial for small and marginal farmers to earn better returns within available resources in the farm.

Technological Unemployment, AI, and Workplace Standardization: The Convergence Argument

The current debate over technological unemployment sacrifices significant analytic value because it is one-sided, limited in scope, and sequential. We show that analyzing technological innovations in parallel with apparently independent socio-economic innovations and trends offers important analytical benefits. Our focus is on socio-economic innovations and trends that standardize education, workplace requirements, and culture. A highly standardized workplace is not only more suitable for international outsourcing; it is also more suitable for machine labor. In this context, we identify five specific research questions that would benefit from parallel analysis and scenarios. We also introduce the concepts “functional equivalency” and “functional singularity” (in juxtaposition to technological singularity) to provide semantic tools that emphasize the importance of an integrated approach, capable of tracking and analyzing two interacting and potentially converging trends.

Resource use efficiency in cultivation of major crops of Dharwad district

share of Indian agriculture in the GDP has been steadily declining over the years. Main reason for deceleration in agricultural growth is declining investment in agriculture research and development and irrigation, inefficiency of rural credit and extension. One more the most important factor is; inefficient use of resources is the reason for declined growth of agriculture sector. So the present study was under taken in Dharwad district to analyse the resource use efficiency of major crops. Major crops grown in the district such as chickpea, cotton, paddy, soybean, maize and chilli were selected for the study. Multistage random sampling was adopted for selection of sample respondents. Cobb-Douglas production technique was employed. Results of the study revealed that seed, fertilizers, PPC and machine labour were over utilized and human labour and bullock labour were underutilized by the chickpea farmers. Cobb-Douglas production function for cotton under rainfed condition revealed that seed, PPC, human labour and bullock labour were over utilized and FYM, fertilizer and machine labour were underutilized. During production of paddy seed, fertilizers, FYM, bullock labour and machine labour were over utilized and human labour and PPC were underutilized by the farmers. FYM and PPC were underutilized and seed, fertilizers, human labour, bullock labour and machine labour were underutilized by farmers in cultivation of soybean. Resource use efficiency under rainfed chilli production revealed that seed, PPC, bullock labour and machine labour were over utilized and FYM, fertilizer and human labour were under utilized by the farmers.

Tehničko tehnološki parametri proizvodnje povrtarske paprike

Sweet pepper from seedling produced at mulched area was testing during the course of production in 2013 in Novi Becej. The tested plot area was 1.88 ha. The study included the following technological operations: soil cultivation, container seedling production, soil mulching with tape drip irrigation and fertilization, planting of container seedlings, pepper care, picking peppers and cleaning plots by the end of the growing season. During the test for all of these technological operations was determined productivity and consumption of labor and machine work. In investigated pepper production technology was engaged 1017.67 h/ha and 3215.58 kWh/ha of of human and machine labor. The biggest engagement of human labor was in the pepper harvest, and amounts to 474.7 h/ha. The biggest engagement of machine work is ongoing pepper care precisely in drip irrigation, and amounts to 1407.3 kWh/ha.

Relative Profitability of Pulse Crop Rotations among Major Field Crops in Rajasthan

The study was conducted in Nagaur district of Rajasthan to analyze the profitability of pulse crop rotations with major field crops like wheat, barley, mustard and Taramira (Eruica sativa). A sample of 60 farmers for moth bean was selected. The variable cost of cultivation (Cost A1) of different pulse crop rotations was worked out. Cost “A1” was worked out on the basis of opportunity cost principle for owned inputs and actual prices paid by the farmers for purchased inputs. On an average, the total variable cost per hectare of moth bean cultivation was 17781.81. The net returns obtained per hectare were 8090.19. Cost and returns analysis of different crop rotations revealed that the total variable cost per hectare in wheat-moth bean rotation was ( 41485.98) followed by barley-moth bean rotation ( 39100.17). The variable cost in mustard-moth bean rotation was 36389.23 and in Taramira (Eruica sativa)—moth bean rotation, it was 35203.94. Returns over variable cost were worked out to see the profitability of different pulse crop rotations. The wheat-moth bean rotation yielded the maximum net returns per hectare ( 36886.02) followed by mustard-moth bean rotation ( 26832.77). The returns in barley-moth bean rotation was 21771.83 and in taramira (Eruica sativa)-moth bean rotation, it was 18558.06. The major cost items in all these rotations were human labour and machine labour. The input use in most of the rotations was found to be very low. To increase production and income from these rotations, the efficient use of the inputs needs to be ensured.

An analysis of growth of productivity of paddy in post-reform period in Odisha

In post-reform period, in paddy producing areas, farmers are more accessible to new ideas and interested to take risks by using high yielding seeds, machine labour, hired labour and applying high dose of fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides, etc. As a result of which, the production of paddy is growing and accomplishing self reliance, household food security as well as serving as a means to tone down the age old problem relating to hunger and poverty in under developed Asian countries including India.

Efficiency of conservation agriculture: Evidences from wheat farms in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

India is the second largest producer of wheat in the world and Uttar Pradesh is the largest wheat growing state in the country. The major challenge to wheat production in the state is the enhancing of its productivity and profitability. Adoption of zero tillage technique is one such step in this direction. The paper has compared the economics and efficiency of wheat production in Uttar Pradesh with zero tillage (ZT) adopters and non-adopters and assessed the contribution of technology and inputs to the increased productivity due to zero tillage for the years 2013–14. For the study, CACP cost concept and Cob-Douglas production function were used to find out the economics and efficiency of wheat in zero till system. The result indicates that the net return was found 80% higher in case of adopters than nonadopters. The study has also observed that ZT technology has potential to provide additional income to farmers and help in conservation of scarce resources. The resource use efficiency analysis showed that zero tillage adoption saved machine labour and seed than under conventional method.