Kamal Vatta

Growth Pattern and Economic Impacts of Wheat Productivity on Punjab Agriculture

The present study makes an attempt to describe a simple strategy of how production of wheat increased manifold, strengthening food security in India, on the basis of past empirical evidence. The study uses the secondary data on wheat productivity and important inputs which are hypothesized to be its significant determinants spanned over the period 1970–71 to 2009–10. The simultaneous equation model was used to estimate various parameters. Expansion in irrigated area resulted in larger area under high yielding varieties of wheat in order to realize higher production and profits. In Punjab, the elasticity of wheat area with respect to cropping intensity was very high at 0.68 and that of irrigation was about 0.6 (through cropping intensity). Expansion in irrigation helped in significantly increasing wheat production in the state. The average productivity of wheat in India can be raised by expanding irrigation in India. The yield gaps need to be bridged by targeted extension activities to encourage adoption of modern technologies including high yielding seeds, fertilizers and other inputs. The policy should therefore lay emphasis on the development of irrigation potential in the country. Secondly, the already created irrigation potential must be exploited fully through the maintenance of old irrigation infrastructure.

Institutional Synergies in Processing and Value Addition: Role of a Producers’ Organisation in Transforming Farm Economy in Rural Punjab§

The study has highlighted the role of a producers’ organisation, namely Farm Produce Promotion Society (FAPRO), in improving farm economy in rural Punjab. The study conducted in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab during 2010–11, is based on the primary data collected from 140 farmers and has examined the change in cropping pattern and increase in income and employment due to value addition at farm level, as against cereals cultivation in the state. It has observed that turmeric as a high-value perennial crop occupies 26.4 per cent area of GCA and the gross return of turmeric was almost double of the return from rice and wheat. The establishment of FAPRO for value addition of turmeric has raised the farm income and employment compared to rice-wheat cropping system. The FAPRO adds value through powder making of turmeric and selling rhizomes for seed purpose. The Society has also been found to capitalize through other value-added activities. Field study has indicated that FAPRO needs a strong policy intervention with linkages between farm and the factory through skill development, increase of capacity utilization, mechanization of processing process, development of storage facilities, increasing of operational efficiency and reduction of overhead cost with proper post-harvest management. It will encourage farmers to continue turmeric cultivation in the cropping system of Punjab. Such farmers’ organisations need to be replicated in other parts of the country in the co-operative sector.

Producers’ organisation and economics of cultivation of turmeric as high valued crop against rice-wheat cropping system for increasing farm income: a case study in hoshiarpur district of Punjab

The study was conducted in the Ghugial village of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab during 2010-11. The main objectives were to study the cropping and crop diversification of the members of FAPRO and to examine the relative advantages of cultivation of turmeric as a high valued crop amongst the members of FAPRO unit. The study was based on primary data collected from 40 member farmers selected proportionately. It was observed that the cropping pattern was more diverse towards high valued horticultural crops, sugarcane and fodder as cash crop from cereals that occupied more than 70.00% of gross cropped area. Cultivation of turmeric was found relatively advantageous over Rice –Wheat cropping system in respect of input use and profitability as an annual crop. Price of turmeric was more assured due to the presence of FAPRO as a buying agent. The crop was also found to be more protective.

Economic and Financial Efficiency of Farmers’ Produce Organisation: A Case Study of FAPRO in Hosiarpur District of Punjab

The study was conducted in Ghugial village of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab during 2010–11 with an objective to examine the economic and financial efficiency of capital invested in Farms Produce Promotion Society (FAPRO). It was observed that the society earned augmented revenue with the grown in operational cost and the organization has increased rapidly. It played a proactive role in meeting the purpose of the society. Although B-C ratio has increased, current ratio was found moderate. Profit to asset ratio and profit to sales ratio were viable after few years with low capacity utilization. If the shortcomings can be met similar farmers’ organization can be imitated in other parts of the country especially for value addition of perishable products.

Economic Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Programs

This paper makes an attempt to highlight important methods of economic evaluation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs. The farm level decision making process in pest management can be evaluated by using the economic threshold model, the marginal analysis model, the decision theory model and the behavioral decision model. Economic evaluation of the IPM programs, at the farm level/aggregate levels, can be carried out using cost-benefit approach, economic surplus model and econometric model. The paper further makes an attempt for micro level investigation of the impact of IPM program for cotton in Indian Punjab by using the data pertaining to 210 cotton farmers comprising 150 IPM farmers and 60 non-IPM farmers spread over 21 villages in three districts. The difference of difference technique was used to measure the impact of adoption of IPM program on extent of pesticide use and productivity of cotton.