The resources-use pattern and profitability of dry land sericultural
operations have been analyzed. The study has been conducted with the
information collected by interview method from randomly selected 67
rainfed-sericulture farmers in the Chamaraja Nagar district of Karnataka.
It has been revealed that the cash inputs such as chemical fertilizers and
disinfectant chemicals are used less than the recommended quantities,
whereas labour is used in excess. The production function analysis has
indicated that bullock power, human labour, quantum of feed and
disinfectants are the important inputs which significantly influence cocoon
production. As regards the allocative efficiency of resource-use, bullock
power is being used efficiently. Leaf, fertilizer and disinfectants are used
at sub-optimal levels. The labour is being used in an uneconomical manner.
It has been suggested that intensified extension efforts would bear fruitful
results in popularizing the improved rainfed sericulture practices