Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Shobhana Bishnoi and Mukesh Kumar Maurya

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to estimate the costs and returns structure in the production of mustard, to identify the marketing channels, to analyze the price spread in the marketing of mustard and to identify the constraints in the production and marketing of mustard in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan during 2021-22. Primary data were collected from 80 farmers comprised of 27 small, 47 medium and 6 large farmers from four villages of Anupgarh and Raisinghnagar blocks of Sri Ganganagar district. To study the marketing aspects data were collected from various intermediaries in Gharsana and Jaitsar markets of Sriganganagar district. The results revealed that the average size of operational holding in case of small, medium and large farmers was 3.99, 11.85 and 29.50 acres, respectively. The area under mustard on the said categories of farms was 0.94, 2.97 and 7.65 acres, respectively. The total fixed costs per acre were estimated to be Rs. 7277.90, Rs. 7312.94 and Rs. 4974.27 while per acre total variable costs came out to be Rs. 7612.87, Rs. 7311.01 and Rs. 7138.11, respectively on the small, medium and large farms. The returns over variable costs were found highest on large farms (Rs. 15545.05) as compared to medium (Rs. 12951.18) and small (Rs. 11908.51) farms. Total cost per quintal of output was estimated to be the lowest on the large farms which might be due to operation of economies of scale. The percent profit margin was estimated to be 23.72, 27.82 and 46.60 percent on small, medium and large farms, respectively. The results of productivity analysis showed that at overall level the actual yield was found less than the yield of ARS recommended variety (RGN-298) by 3.50 quintal per acre. This gap could be narrowed down by making available better quality farm inputs, pesticides and insecticides, weed control and disease management. The marketed surplus on large farms came out to be 95.09 percent followed by small (90.53%) and medium (89.67%) farms. The price spread in Jaitsar market (Rs. 8008.90) was found to be more than Gharsana market (Rs. 7953.90) in Channel-I (Producer-Processor-Oil Wholesalers-Oil Retailers-Consumers). Producers share in consumer rupee in channel-II was found more as compared to both the markets in channel I as none of intermediaries were involved in this channel. High cost of inputs, shortage of labour, non-availability of quality inputs particularly plant protection chemicals, production and price risks, incidence of pests and diseases, lack of suitable varieties, exploitation by middlemen and lack of processing facilities were important production and marketing constraints and overcoming these constraints is critical for improving production and productivity of rapeseed and mustard in the district. Major avenues for future increase in mustard production are expected to come from enhancement in productivity of this crop. A combination of high yielding varieties and hybrids and efficient crop management needs to be adopted.