Economic Analysis of Sericulture in Nagpur District, India: Environmental Impact and Sustainable Management

The study is an attempt to assess the silkworm cocoon production and its profitability in Nagpur district of Maharashtra through structured survey during 2017-18 with a view to know socio economic characteristics of mulberry growers such as family type, education, family size, education status, land use pattern, and cropping pattern etc. were studied. Data pertains to the year 2017-18. The data were collected by using the multipurpose sampling design. The study was based on total 60 mulberry growers. It states that, the average size of the family worked out to 5 individuals per households. Out of which 2 mens, 2 women and 1 children, Where as 6.66% illiterate and 93.34% are literate. The possession of average land holding was 2.06 hectares. The gross cropped area was 3.73 hectares. The cropping intensity was found to be 195.28 per cent. In 2017-18 total area under mulberry cultivation in Nagpur district is 285 acre and per acre production of silk cocoon is 1.666 kg/yr. (District Sericulture Office, Nagpur)

An Evaluation of Organic and Conventional Cotton Production in Maharashtra, India

Cotton is the most important commercial crop playing key role in economic and social affairs of the world. It is backbone of our textile industry. In the present study efforts have been made to study the cost, returns, profitability of organic and conventional cotton. The primary data required for the study were collected during year 2021-22 from 320 cotton growers covering 4 districts of Maharashtra. Simple statistical tools like averages and percentages were used in analysing the collected data and standard cost concepts was used for analysis. The result of the study revealed that, the per hectare cost of cultivation of conventional cotton were maximum in Wardha (Rs.83575), gross returns were maximum in Yavatmal (Rs.135096) and net returns (Rs.61844) with net returns on per rupees invested at total cost (Rs. 1.84) were maximum in Yavatmal. Thus, it was found that cotton cultivation was most remunerative farming in study area. Whereas, in Aurangabad it was found to be less remunerative among all the district in study area. The per hectare cost of cultivation in Aurangabad district were Rs.79958, gross returns was Rs.108176 and net returns was Rs.28218 with net returns on per rupees invested at total cost Rs. 1.35 which was comparatively lower than other districts. The per hectare cost of cultivation of organic cotton were maximum in Aurangabad (Rs.65652), gross returns (Rs.127652) and net returns (Rs.62000) with net returns on per rupees invested at total cost (Rs. 1.94). It was observed to be most remunerative farming in study area. Whereas, in Yavatmal it was found to be less remunerative among all the district in study area. The per hectare cost of cultivation was Rs.63427, gross returns were Rs.114997 and net returns was Rs.51569 with net returns on per rupees invested at total cost Rs. 1.81 which was comparatively lower than other districts. Organic agriculture thus potentially provides means of addressing both human and environmental predicaments. It shows several benefits, as it reduces many of the environmental impacts of conventional agriculture, it reduces reliance on costly external inputs, and guarantees price premiums for organic produce

Economic Assessment of Sustainable Cotton Production in Maharashtra, India

Cotton, the king of fibers is often quoted as ‘White Gold’ because of its higher commercial values. It is a primary raw material in the textile industries. Cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabrics and garments have substantial demand in the global market. Cotton is the most important fibre crop of India playing a dominant role in its agrarian and industrial economy. In the present study efforts have been made to study the cost, returns, profitability of organic and conventional cotton. The primary data required for the study were collected during year 2021-22 from 320 cotton growers of Maharashtra. Simple statistical tools like averages and percentages were used in analysing the collected data and standard cost concepts was used for analysis. The result of the study examined that, the total cost of production (cost ‘C’) of cotton was worked out to Rs. 87633 and Rs. 72683 in conventional irrigated and conventional rainfed cotton cultivation, respectively, the per hectare conventional rainfed cotton production was worked out to be 13.18 qtls. The per hectare conventional irrigated cotton production was worked out to be 20.95 qtls. The benefit-cost ratio was estimated to 2.09 and 1.77 for irrigated and rainfed respectively, This indicated that, organic irrigated cotton production was more profitable than organic rainfed cotton. Organic cotton farming promises to be a more sustainable form of agriculture that is aimed at producing food in a more environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially just way. Organic methods also have wider social and environmental benefits that come from the use of sustainable methods