India’s trade potential and export opportunities for spices

Economic growth and development of a country rely on trade as it serves as a driving force with efficient utilization of factor of endowments. Several commodities are traded world-wide, among them spices which has a long history of being one of the highly traded commodity. Developing countries including India are the leading producer and exporter of spices in the world. The demand for Indian spices has gone up in the United States of America, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, etc. The study assess the comparative advantage of major spices exporting countries for pepper, cardamom and turmeric-based on data available in International Trade Centre. To analyse the effect of trade liberalisation, a simulation model (SMART) developed by UNCTAD was used to estimate trade creation, diversion and revenue effect on importing and exporting countries. The result shows that India has a comparative advantage in the export of Turmeric, Guatemala in Cardamom and Vietnam in Pepper. The impact of tariff relief on India has greater advantage, which has trade creation in the export of cardamom and turmeric. Whereas in pepper, comparatively, trade diversion is higher than trade creation, indicating that less efficient countries are given a chance to export to the top importing countries due to a reduction in tariff. Indian spice exporters should focus on promoting or exporting spices to countries like Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, and Germany

Economic Feasibility of Carnation Cultivation in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India

Aim: To estimate the economics of Carnation Production under Protected cultivation, to estimate the feasibility of the protected cultivation of Carnation in the study district, and to assess the constraints faced by the farmers in scaling up the protected cultivation in the study district and to suggest suitable solutions. Study Design: An ex-post-facto study was conducted, among the carnation cultivators of Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Place and Duration of Study: The Nilgiris district was purposively selected for the study as it possesses the largest area under carnation flower cultivation in Tamil Nadu and the study was conducted between April 2023 and June 2023. Methodology: The present study employed a multi-stage purposive cum random sampling technique to select the district, blocks, villages, and respondents for research. The Nilgiris district was purposefully chosen for its significance in carnation flower cultivation within Tamil Nadu. Specifically, Kothagiri, Coonoor, and Uthagai blocks of the Nilgiris district were selected as focal areas for this investigation. Within each of these selected blocks, two villages were chosen, resulting in a total of six villages as study locations. To ensure representation, 30 farmers engaged in carnation cultivation were then selected, with a proportion of 5 farmers per village. The respondents were interviewed with a pre-structured questionnaire through a random approach. Furthermore, the study incorporated feasibility analysis, which included evaluating key financial metrics such as the Benefit-Cost Ratio, Net Present Worth, and Internal Rate of Return. These financial analyses were conducted to assess the economic viability and potential returns associated with carnation cultivation in the Nilgiris district. Results: The results reveal that the net return/ 4000 m2 is Rs. 16.67 lakhs. The BCR was found to be 1.40 (Financially feasible). The NPV was found to be Rs. 70.35 lakhs and the IRR was estimated to be 40.00 per cent. Major constraints encountered by the farmers include the higher cost of polyhouse material and construction, followed by the higher cost of the seedlings and the poor availability of skilled labour. Conclusion: Protected cultivation technology unlocks the potential to produce crops with high productivity and superior quality

Awareness Regarding Soil Health Card and Obstacles in Adoption of its Recommendations in the Karaikal District of Puducherry U.T. in India

Aims: To study the awareness regarding Soil Health Card and constraints encountered in adoption of Soil Health card Recommendations and suggestions in Karaikal district of Puducherry U.T. Study Design: Purposive random sampling. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Karaikal district of Puducherry U.T. and the survey was conducted during September 2021 and October 2021. Methodology: The random sampling of 120 respondents from Karaikal district who had soil health cards. Among the two Taluks (Karaikal and Thirunallar), total six Firkas were selected purposively and 20 farmers from each Firkas were selected through a random sampling technique. From the 120 sample respondents, information regarding the study was collected with a structured interview schedule. Percentage and distribution were employed to know about the socio-economic profile of respondents and their awareness level regarding the Soil Health card another tool used is Garrett ranking technique to rank constraints faced by the respondents. Results: It was discovered that farmers were aware of the Soil health card suggests conservative measures for sustainable soil health and it increases yield, which also reduces additional costs incurred for fertilizer purchases by giving fertilizer recommendations for the particular field, etc.  Garret ranking analysis revealed that the major constraint encountered in the adoption of soil health card recommendations is that the information on Soil Health Card is not in the local language followed by recommendations are not calculated based on farmers' land holdings, inaccessibility of micro-nutrient fertilizer in the market, etc. Conclusion: To overcome these constraints Farmer's training on the use of a Soil Health Card by calculating a recommended dose of fertilizers and the information on the Soil Health Card should be in the local language is recommended

Awareness and Perception of Farmers and Dealers on Nano Urea in Gondia District of Maharashtra, India

This study investigates farmers' and traders' perceptions of nano urea in the Gondia district of Maharashtra. By providing accurate and long-lasting nutrient management, nano urea, a fertilizer based on nanotechnology, has the potential to revolutionize agriculture. Nearly 120 farmers and 50 merchants were polled as part of the study utilizing a multistage random sampling method. The findings showed that most farmers use nano urea in their fields and are aware of it. The adoption of nano urea by farmers was found to be highly correlated with education. Dealers were well aware of nano urea and eager to sell it since they recognized its benefits in terms of compatibility, storage capacity, and ease of use. However, some farmers voiced their displeasure with lesser paddy field yields and comprehension challenges. The paper discusses the difficulties in implementing and using nano urea in agriculture while highlighting its promise

Not Available

Not AvailableThe Vembanadlake is the longest lake in India and also the largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala recognized as a Ramsarwetland site. The lake meanders through three districts of the state, Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam. It has been a source of livelihood to the population living alongside the wetland ecosystem. The economic activity carried in and around the backwater includes fishing, shrimp farming, clam picking, rice cultivation, duck rearing and livelihoods related to recreation like etc. Backwater tourism is a major revenue generation activity for the community by means of house boats, motor boats, shikara boat, speed boat etc. Around 1480 boats were operational in the Vembanadlake which are registered under the Department of Ports, Government of Kerala. The increase in boats is due to increase in the arrival of both foreign and domestic tourists, the increase of which over the past decade has risen by 11.69% and 7.07% respectively. In the year 2018, foreign and domestic tourists who visited the Vembanad in the three districts (Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam) was approximately 0.63 and 4.48 million respectively. This paper aimed at measuring the recreation benefits obtained by tourists visiting the Vembanadlake (and the wetland ecosystem) using travel cost approach. The model considers number of visit made by the individual per annum as the dependent variable is and several independent variables such as cost of travel, family income, age, family size, time spent and quality of the backwater. The analysis was carried out using trip generating function. The results reveal that, the total recreational value of Vembanad backwater was 363 billion INR. The potential value of the ecosystem necessitates sustainable management and conservation of the lake and the backwater ecosystem, which is being affected by increasing pollution as a result of, ironically, increasing tourist activities.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe traditional Chinese dip net is symbolic of Kerala and is a major tourist attraction. These nets are operated along the banks of the lakes in the state, especially the Vembanad lake. It is categorized into three type i.e. big, medium and small. The economic value generated by the Chinese dip nets operated in the Vembanad lake was estimated using market price approach. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) is taken to be equal to market price of fish and shrimp catch and this was used as an indicator of the true value of a resource. The estimation of economic value generated from the Chinese dip net operations in Vembanad lake was about Rs.32.98 crores per annum, which gives livelihood to approximately around 4500 family beneficiaries.Not Availabl

Risk Attitude of Farmers in the Climate Extreme Region of Andhra Pradesh, India

Aim: The objective of the current study was to assess the risk attitude of both insured and non-insured farmers and identify the factors influencing the risk attitude of insured and non-insured farmers. Study Area and Design: An ex-post-facto study was conducted, and the stratified random sampling method was used to collect the data at selected villages in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. Methodology: A sample of 150 farmers of chilli and cotton was collected (90 insured and 60 non-insured). Data regarding the agriculture year 2021-22 was analysed using Moscardi and de Janvry approach. The socioeconomic, institutional and farm characteristics were analysed by using discriminant analysis to identify the factors influencing farmers’ risk attitudes. Results: The present study results showed that the majority of the farmers are risk neutral. In the case of risk preferers insured farmers are more compared to non-insured farmers. Insured chilli farmers more than non-insured chilli farmers in case of risk-averse but, it is the reverse in the case of cotton farmers. Occupation, constraints in getting credit facility, membership of the association, the proportion of crop income to the total farm income and family size of insured chilli farmers and family size, education level membership of the association, constraints in getting credit facility, the proportion of crop income to total farm income of non-insured chilli farmers are significant. Variables like age, occupation, farming experience, constraints in getting credit facility and age, occupation, education level, and farming experience of insured and non-insured cotton farmers were found to be significant.    Conclusion: The majority of the farmers (both insured and non-insured) are risk neutral